SUNDAY 3RD OCTOBER 2021

US May Sanction IOCs in Nigeria, Others for Hydrocarbon Production OPEC mulls oil quota hike as supply tightens Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja As the world moves to tackle climate change, the International Oil Companies (IOCs), which insist on ramping up production of

fossil fuels in Africa may face the risk of regulatory action from the United States, the country’s Deputy Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, Jonathan Pershing, has said.

If the US makes good its

threat, it will be a major blow to Nigeria, Angola, Congo and other oil-producing countries in Africa, which have intensified efforts to attract foreign investors to fund major hydrocarbons

projects on the continent.

This is coming as the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies, OPEC+, are considering going beyond the existing deal to boost

production by 400,000 barrels per day (bpd) when it meets tomorrow (Monday).

In August, President Muhammadu Buhari finally signed the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) to spur competition

in the sector as well as attract foreign investments.

But with the position of the US, many of the expected funding for Nigeria’s fossil Continued on page 5

Open Grazing Ban: More Northern States Seek Funding to Build Ranches... Page 8 Sunday 3 October, 2021 Vol 26. No 9673

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Terrorists, Bandits Have Formed Alliance, Niger Gov Cries out Onuminya Innocent in Sokoto and Laleye Dipo in Minna

L-R: Celebrant's niece, Ms. Chibuzor Etebefia; Daughter, Eka Obaigbena; Head of Michael Ibru Dynasty, Olorogun Oskar Ibru; Celebrant, Madam Efe Egbarin-Davis; Daughter, Ms. Kenim Obaigbena; Sibling, Mr. Elvis Egbarin; Ms. Seyi Egbarin, and Daughter, Ms. Efe Obaigbena, during the 60th birthday celebration of Madam Egbarin-Davis in Lagos…Friday ABIODUN AJALA

Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, has raised the alarm that Continued on page 5

Mark, Shema, Lamido Emerge Front-runners in Race for PDP Chair

Atiku, Saraki's loyalists move to get Secondus reinstated at Appeal Court NEC meets Thursday to consider zoning report Ejiofor Alike in Lagos and Chuks Okocha in Abuja Following the zoning of the position of the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the North by the National Convention Zoning Committee (NCZC) of the party led by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, northern elders in the main opposition party have commenced search for a suitable candidate to fill the position, THISDAY has learnt.

THISDAY gathered that in their latest permutation, the northern elders have zeroed in

on a former President of the Senate, Senator David Mark; a former Governor of Katsina State, Alhaji Ibrahim Shema, and a former Governor of Jigawa State, Mr. Sule Lamido for the position of the party’s national chairman.

The intrigues have however deepened as the loyalists of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and a former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki have intensified moves to use the Appeal Court to return the embattled National Chairman of the party, Prince Uche Continued on page 6

SIGNED AND SEALED… L-R: Globacom Chairman, Mr. Mike Adenuga Jnr; French President, Mr. Emmanuel Macron, and Chief Executive Officer, Eutelsat, Mr. Rodolphe Belmer, during the signing of satellite deployment agreement between Globacom and Eutelsat of France, at the Elysee Palace, Paris…recently

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PAGE FIVE TERRORISTS, BANDITS HAVE FORMED ALLIANCE, NIGER GOV CRIES OUT bandits and terrorists have now formed an alliance to wreak havoc on innocent people in communities in the state.

This is coming as suspected bandits operating in the Eastern Senatorial District of Sokoto State have allegedly written a letter to a monarch in Burkusuma demanding ransom to secure the release of 20 persons kidnapped from two communities in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of the state.

Speaking in Minna at the weekend after commiserating with injured soldiers at the IBB Specialist hospital, Bello who just returned from an official trip to Turkey also confirmed the killing of two soldiers and the injuring of 12 others in the last attack by bandits on Kagara town, headquarters of the Rafi Local Government Area of the state.

After commiserating with injured soldiers at the IBB Specialist Hospital in Minna, the governor said more soldiers were injured in the Kagara incident.

While revealing that some of the injured soldiers had been moved to Kaduna for treatment, he added that the other 12 were hospitalised at the IBB Specialist Hospital in Minna.

"The bandits have an alliance with terrorists considering their increasing number and the way they plan and carry out their attacks," Bello said.

Bello said the bandits however suffered losses during the operation but could not say how many of them were neutralised or injured.

He lamented that: "We have lost quite a number of them (security operatives) since the operation started and we don't intend to lose more. What we are calling for is a safe environment and for everyone to support the ongoing operation by the security agents".

He accused some communities of harbouring bandits because of fear that they could be attacked,

warning that "very soon we will tag those communities as same elements as bandits.

If you are harbouring any bandits and you know, you are one even if you don't carry a gun because you are risking the lives of our security agents".

In a related development, suspected bandits operating in the Eastern Senatorial District of Sokoto State have allegedly written a letter to a monarch in Burkusuma demanding ransom to secure the release of 20 persons kidnapped from two communities in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of the state.

The letter was allegedly written in the Hausa language by one of the

victims kidnapped by the bandits and addressed to Sarkin Rafin Burkusuma, the district head of the area.

The bandits informed the monarch that the victims kidnapped from Gatawa and Burkusuma are all in good health.

They thereafter demanded the sum of N20 million to be paid for the release of their victims.

The kidnapped victims, whose names were all written in the letter, consist of nine males, eight females and two children.

One of the victims was released to deliver the letter to Gatawa through the Sarkin Rakin Burkusuma.

Channels TV reported that the bandits have resorted to

sending letters to families of kidnapped victims since the shutdown of telecommunication services in the area.

An effort by the TV station to reach the Sokoto State Police Command for confirmation was unsuccessful as the mobile line of the Police Public Relations Officer, Sanusi Abubakar, could not be reached at the time of filing this report.

In another development, the Zamfara State Police Command has said it has arrested one of the notorious commanders of bandits, Bello Ruga.

The Commissioner for Police in Zamfara, Ayuba Elkana, who disclosed

this to reporters, said Bello, also known as Bello Dan Malankara, was apprehended at a bandits’ camp in Gummi Local Government Area of the state.

“On October 1, 2021, police tactical operatives on anti-banditry operations around Gummi axis acted on intelligence report and stormed Gidan Bita, Malankare, and Kagara forest in search of one notorious bandit known as Bello Rugga,” he said during a briefing on Friday at the Police Headquarters in Gusau.

“The bandit who happens to be one of the Turji’s commanders was the one in charge of Gummi, Gidan

Bita, Malankare, and Kagara forest in Gummi LGA. “He has been commanding a series of attacks and kidnaps in Gummi that led to the unwarranted killing of innocent people, and the kidnapping of many persons where ransoms were paid. The suspect who has many bandits under him also is in possession of AK-47 rifles.”

Meanwhile, Elkana announced that all vehicles with unauthorised tinted glass should be immediately removed.

He also directed the police to arrest and prosecute owners of vehicles without plate numbers on all roads in the state.

PAYING HOMAGE… Former President Olusegun Obasanjo (left), and Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, at this year's Omo Olowu Day celebration in Abeokuta…yesterday

US MAY SANCTION IOCS IN NIGERIA, OTHERS FOR HYDROCARBON PRODUCTION fuels may be stranded since oil companies would be circumspect about putting their dollars in the upcoming projects.

Western fossil fuel companies planning to develop new projects in Africa would then need to consider the significant risk of regulatory action vis-à-vis the returns on investment in Africa.

Speaking from South Africa, the US envoy urged western investors to consider whether fossil fuels were a good commercial opportunity anymore in Africa or anywhere else.

"There's a risk of regulatory ... and financial activities, and I believe that's getting more and more explicit. If you are a company looking to invest in oil and gas, you have to ask yourself…‘am I going to be left with a stranded asset?’ I would not bet very strongly on a fossil fuel future," he said.

Pershing, who was speaking at a virtual media briefing, after being asked

about the current rush by western oil and gas companies to develop deposits in Africa, noted that even China had committed to stop building overseas coal plants.

Africa accounts for just 3.8 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions, according to the non-profit Carbon Disclosure Project, but Pershing noted it was the fastest-growing continent.

It could, he said: "leapfrog" older carbon-based technologies and embrace renewables, just as it skipped wired telecoms in many places and went straight for wireless.

"Africa doesn't need to move in the direction of the West's high-carbon intensity.

It can move directly beyond that," he said.

His comments came despite the United States itself being a major producer and exporter of oil and gas, with recent growth driven by output from shale fields, a Reuters report said.

The US envoy is visiting

several African countries as part of efforts to raise global climate ambition ahead of the United Nations COP26 Climate Summit in Glasgow, Scotland next month.

African nations are seeking financial assistance from the West to switch to renewables.

On Tuesday, South Africa, the continent's biggest greenhouse gas emitter and the world's 12th largest, owing to its reliance on coalfired power, told the envoy that it needed major support for its energy transition.

In the new PIA, Nigeria is devoting as much as 30 per cent of the proposed Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Limited’s profit oil and profit gas, to crude exploration in the frontier basins.

Speaking recently on why Nigeria continued to focus on a seemingly irrelevant resource, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva as well as the NNPC Group Managing Director, Mallam

Mele Kyari, had noted that the idea was to get as much oil as possible from beneath the ground before it becomes useless.

Most of the big IOCs like Royal Dutch Shell, Mobil, Chevron which operates in the United States also have major investments in Nigeria and could withdraw funding for Nigerian hydrocarbons if threatened in that country.

OPEC Mulls Oil Quota Hike as Supply Tightens Meanwhile, OPEC and its allies OPEC+ are considering going beyond its existing deal to boost production by 400,000 barrels per day (bpd) when it meets tomorrow (Monday).

At a time oil prices are near a three-year high and consumers are pressing for more supply, OPEC and its allies led by Russia will seek to review the output policy of the alliance.

In July, the group agreed

to boost output by 400,000 bpd a month to phase out 5.8 million bpd in cuts, which were embarked upon in April last year after prices collapsed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Reuters quoted four OPEC+ sources as saying that producers were considering adding more than that deal envisaged, with one source suggesting that an increase of 800,000 bpd for one month was possible, with zero the next month.

The nearest month any increase could occur is November since the producers’ last meeting decided the October volumes.

"We cannot exclude any option," one of the OPEC+ sources said.

The idea that the oil market might need more oil than the existing deal planned for was "one of the possible scenarios," said another source.

Although there had been insinuations that the cartel will most likely stick to the existing plan, it was not

immediately clear what prompted the change of tone, but it followed a meeting of the OPEC+ Joint Technical Committee (JTC) which reviewed the market outlook and reduced the size of an expected supply surplus in 2022.

On Tuesday, Brent oil rose to a three-year high above $80 a barrel, boosted by unplanned outages in the United States and a strong recovery in global economic activity and energy demand as many countries emerge from the pandemic, but fell on Friday to $79.28.

Rising oil, gas, coal, and power prices are feeding inflationary pressures worldwide and slowing the recovery.

Energy ministers from OPEC members Iraq, Nigeria, and the United Arab Emirates said in recent weeks the group saw no need to take extraordinary measures to change the existing agreement, but that could be altered tomorrow with the latest change of tone.

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Again, ARISE NEWS MD, Nwogwugwu Emerges Most Powerful Woman in Journalism Emma Okonji For the second year running, the Managing Director of ARISE NEWS Channel, the broadcast arm of THISDAY Newspapers, Ms. Ijeoma Nwogwugwu, has emerged as the most powerful woman journalist in Nigeria.

Last year, Nwogwugwu made it to the top of the list of the 25 Most Powerful Women in Journalism Award, organised by WIJAfrica.

This year, she maintained the lead position among the selected 25 Most Powerful Women in Journalism.

According to a statement from WIJAfrica, the organisers of the 25 Most Powerful Women in Journalism, Nwogwugwu topped the list again this year, based on her national and industry credence, especially in her objective reportage of the #EndSARS campaign in Nigeria last year.

According to the citation from the organisers of the award, “Nwogwugwu is the undisputed champion of #EndSARS reportage in the year 2020. She was one of a few media chiefs who quickly noted that the growing movement of young people against police brutality would become a global campaign for change.

“She rallied her organisation to provide uninterrupted coverage of history in the making, as most major cities in Nigeria were at a standstill.

ARISE NEWS moved from a middle-of-the-road player into a news juggernaut, with its digital news gathering, generating tens of millions of views and comments from young Nigerians becoming politically conscious for the first time. Nwogwugwu brings to journalism something rare but not impossible- a combination of traditional journalistic pedigree on the one hand and strong appeal to Generation Z on the other.”

Nwogwugwu, who

was the former Editor of THISDAY Newspapers, was listed among 24 others in WIJAfrica’s list of “25 Most Powerful” women in journalism for 2020, where she emerged top of the list.

She was chosen because she “brings to journalism a wealth of experience across private and public sectors.”

Apart from the top 25 list, a number of other journalists were also nominated as

worthy of mentions.

They are: Editor, Vanguard Allure, Jemi Ekunkunbor; Editor, THISDAYStyle Online, Konye Nwabogor; Acting Editor, The Will Downtown, Onah Nwachukwu; Editor, Punch Online/New Media, Adesola Ayo-Adenrele; Group Features Editor, THISDAY Newspapers, Chiemelie Ezeobi; Sharon Ijasan of Television Continental (TVC); and Nike

Sotade, a veteran journalist.

WIJAfrica is the annual gathering of women working in the field of journalism and the media across Africa.

The award is organised by WIJAfrica, supported by local and international partners to advance conversations around the practice of journalism in Africa, promote best practices, and supporting innovation in professionalism.

The first WIJAfrica conference was held in 2014 at the Civic Centre in Lagos, with the CEO of Thomson Reuters Foundation, Monique Villa as the Keynote Speaker.

Since then, notable speeches have been delivered at subsequent conferences

by Rhodes University’s Professor Anthea Garman; Courage in Journalism Winner, Chris Anyanwu, and award-winning international

BRINGING GOOD TIDINGS FROM NIGERIA...

Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (left), and the new President of Sao Tome and Principe, Mr. Carlos Manuel Vila Nova, at a meeting after the inauguration of Nova at the Presidential Villa in Sao Tome city…yesterday

Independence: Ortom Laments Nigeria’s Failing Insecurity, Economy George Okoh in Makurdi Benue State Governor, Dr. Samuel Ortom, has lamented the worsening insecurity in the country even as he said there was nothing to celebrate about Nigeria at 61.

He said sycophancy, terrorism and banditry reigned supreme with wanton destruction of lives and property, coupled with bad economic policies, adding that there was nothing to celebrate.

Ortom said this during an interdenominational church

service held at the Chapel of Grace, Benue Government House at the weekend to mark 61st independence anniversary celebrations.

He said: “We have nothing to celebrate. What are we celebrating? Is it bandits,

kidnappers, herdsmen, insurgents, failed economy or what?

“Look at the economy, the Naira is almost N600 to the dollar today. The truth is that we have nothing to celebrate as a people because we the

MARK, SHEMA, LAMIDO EMERGE FRONT-RUNNERS IN RACE FOR PDP CHAIR Secondus, and truncate the bid for a southern presidency in 2023.

The party has, however, summoned an emergency National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting for Thursday, October 7, to consider the report of the Ugwuanyi-led zoning committee.

Investigation revealed that the North-central, where Mark hails from is highly favoured by the majority of the northern elders in the party for the chairmanship position.

These elders, it was learnt, want the North-west where Shema and Lamido hail from to produce the vicepresidential candidate to a possible southern presidential candidate in the 2023 general election.

While Shema’s chairmanship bid is said to be backed by some of the governors, Lamido is believed to be backed by the loyalists

journalist, Anna Cunningham in October 2019.

WIJAfrica has also seen extensive collaboration with the Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), UNESCO, the School of Media and Communication at the Pan-Atlantic University, and the Mass Communications Department of the University of Lagos.

of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Mark is said to be supported by the loyalists of former Military President, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (rtd); a former National Security Adviser (NSA), Gen. Aliyu Gusau, and some other elders.

One of the northern elders privy to the intrigues told THISDAY last night that zoning the party’s chairmanship position to the North-central would ensure the emergence of the vice-presidential candidate from the North-west.

“Northern elders in the party want the chairmanship zoned to the North-central to enable a vice presidential candidate to a southern presidential candidate come from the North-west, given the power bloc.

“To that extent, some are looking at David Mark and or Ibrahim Shema. Sule Lamido

is also being considered.

But most of the elders are saying that if Shema or Lamido runs, it could stop the North-west from bringing the vice presidential candidate to a southern presidential candidate because the southern governors in the party are determined that the presidency should go to the South, in line with the resolutions of the Southern Governors’ Forum, and they are looking at one of their own as a candidate, despite all the blackmail,” the source explained.

However, the source added that the loyalists of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki are moving to use the court to return Secondus.

“If they return Secondus, they can take control of the party, and retain the presidency in the North in 2023,” the source added.

NEC Meets Thursday to Consider Zoning Report Meanwhile, the PDP has summoned an emergency NEC meeting for Thursday, October 7, at its national headquarters, to consider the report of the zoning of the offices of the NWC. According to a statement issued yesterday by the National Secretary of the party, Senator Umaru Ibrahim Tsauri, all members of the National Executive Committee are invited to the emergency NEC meeting.

Zamfara Deputy Governor Clarifies Zoning of Offices In a related development, the Secretary of the NCZC and Deputy Governor of Zamfara State, Mr. Mahdi Aliyu Gusau has clarified the zoning of offices in the party.

In an interview with journalists in Abuja on Friday, he debunked speculations that the presidential ambition of Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto State; Atiku; Saraki, and a former Governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, had been foreclosed.

“After our meeting, some mischief makers started spreading false stories that our committee has zoned the Presidency to the South.

“This is not true. Our committee was mandated to decide on those that would seek party positions. This does not include those who want to seek the positions of president, vice president, governors, and the like.

“Ab initio, it was made clear that our committee does not have the mandate on any other matter regarding zoning or otherwise, except that which regards the party at the federal level.”

leaders have failed this country.”

He lamented that sycophants had taken over with nothing positive happening in any aspect of the economy, apart from the lives of Nigerians that were spared which the citizens should thank God. He revealed that over 100 security operatives were killed by herdsmen-turned bandits in the course of securing lives and property in Benue State from 2017 till date.

According to him, the attack on security agents was not restricted to Benue, adding that its rampant nature across the country was indicative that insecurity was a huge challenge to the federal government.

The governor condemned attacks on security agents who risked their lives to protect citizens, saying that they also have families and blood running in their veins.

“This is certainly not the kind of country our founding fathers wished for us. But we must keep fate in our country Nigeria, because it is God that brought us together in the mist of our diversity.

“We know that there are mischief makers all over the place but we must not be provoked because two wrongs cannot make a right,” the governor added.

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LAGOS OFFICIALS… L-R: Permanent Secretary Ministry of Environment, Mrs. Belinda Odeneye; Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tunji Bello; and Special Adviser on Drainages, Mr. Joe Igbokwe, at the 2021 out-of-home advertising conference and exhibition Lagos…recently

Open Grazing Ban: More Northern States Seek Funding to Build Ranches Want conversion of grazing reserves to ranches Kwara seeks N10bn take-off grant for project We won’t ban open grazing, says Plateau No going back on anti-open grazing laws, Benue, Taraba Seriki Adinoyi in Jos, Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano, Laleye Dipo in Minna, Hammed Shittu in Ilorin, Daji Sani in Yola, Igbawase Ukumba in Lafia, and Ismail Adebayo in Birnin Kebbi With the resolutions of both northern and southern governors that open grazing was no longer sustainable, more states in the North have made a financial request to the federal government to build ranches, THISDAY’s investigation has revealed.

THISDAY also gathered that some of the northern states have also identified the grazing reserves in their areas, which they are seeking to convert to ranches.

President Muhammadu Buhari’s recent approval for the review of 368 grazing reserves in unnamed 25 states in the country was widely rejected by the southern states, as well as Benue and Taraba, which have insisted on ranching as an alternative to open grazing.

However, Buhari had in July approved N6.25billion for the establishment of ranches in Katsina State.

Governor Aminu Bello Masari had confirmed that N5billion of this amount was already in the account of the state government.

Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir-el Rufai, had also disclosed that if the federal government could provide N140 billion as support funding, the grazing reserves in the state would be converted to ranches.

He revealed that there are 14 grazing reserves in Kaduna, adding that it would cost over N100 billion to convert them to ranches.

“We have taken a position as northern state governors and we are implementing that. And in my state, for instance, we are developing a huge ranch to centralise the herders. And that is the solution, a long-term solution. But can it be done overnight?” he queried.

“This project we are doing will cost us about N10 billion.

The CBN is supporting us with about N7.5 billion. And it will take about two years to do. We will be settling Fulani herdsmen and their families. These herders emanate from the north and we are going to centralise them,” he reportedly said.

THISDAY gathered that more states have also applied for funding to convert their grazing reserves into ranches.

While the Kwara State government told THISDAY at the weekend that it had requested N10 billion from the federal government, the Niger State government disclosed that it would require between N2 billion and N3 billion for the pilot project.

The Plateau State government, however, told THISDAY that it was fully prepared for the ranching project but would not ban open grazing in the state.

The Nasarawa State government, through the Permanent Secretary overseeing the state Ministry of Information, Mr. Yusuf Musa, told THISDAY in a telephone interview that the state government had received an undisclosed amount of funds for the building of ranches in the state.

According to him, the state government has already started converting all identified grazing reserves in the state to ranches, with the recent inauguration of the Awe Ranching Hub by President Buhari.

"The federal government has already given us our intervention fund and that is why we are working on the ranching hub in Awe. All our grazing reserves have been identified and they will all be utilised,” he said.

Governor Darius Ishaku of Taraba State has also expressed his administration's readiness to establish ranches across the state if given financial support by the federal government.

Speaking to THISDAY through his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Mr. Bala Dan Abu, the governor disclosed that his administration is already working on establishing ranches

in some parts of the state and would welcome any financial support from the federal government to replicate it in several parts of the state.

“We already have a law prohibiting open grazing in the state and the establishment of ranches is an integral part of it. We shall therefore support any effort or support by the federal government to establish ranches in the state. We are already working on establishing ranches in some parts of the state,” he explained.

Kano State Government has also identified five local government areas in the state to build ranches.

Out of the five proposed local government areas, the state government has constructed about 35 modern houses at Dansoshiya village in Kiru LGA and settled the Fulani herdsmen.

The state Chairman of Ruga Settlement Programme, Alhaji Jibrilla Mohammed, told THISDAY that the other four areas proposed for the ranches include: Duddurin village in Gaya LGA, Bichi, Dunawa in Makoda LGA, and Fanyabo in Doguwa LGA. According to him, the state government has constructed houses and provided some social amenities in Kiru LGA to woo the Fulani herdsmen to relocate to the area.

He disclosed that the herdsmen were carefully screened before being accommodated in the area.

Muhammad further revealed that the state government had written a letter requesting funds from the federal government to help the state finance the settlement of Fulani herdsmen in ranches.

“Kano State government is so much ready to accept the fund to convert the vast lands in the state to ranches.

The government has written to the federal government for funds and we have good plans for the herdsmen. We will do everything possible to make

them comfortable," he explained.

Niger State Commissioner for Livestock and Fisheries Development, Alhaji Haruna Nuhu Dukku, also told THISDAY at the weekend that the state government was "following up" on the grant being released to states for the development of grazing reserves in the country.

Duku explained that some states are asking for N2billion or N3billion, saying "when we get to the river we will know how to cross it".

He explained that apart from the Bobi grazing reserves, the state has six other grazing reserves which are being developed.

"Apart from the Bobi grazing reserves which span over 36 000 hectares located in Mariga/ Magama local governments areas, the government has designated six other reserves," the commissioner said.

The other reserves are: Audi Kanchi in Lavun LGA, Sheyi in Shiroro LGA, Garin-Gabas in Rafi LGA, Gabi in Lapai Ndadokun LGA, Kpotun Woro in Agaie LGA and Iri In Rijau LGA. The Plateau State government has also said it was fully prepared for ranching in the state, adding that the current grazing reserves in Wase and Kanam would give way to ranching in the state.

The state’s Director of Research and Documentation, Prof. John Wade, told THSDAY at the weekend that all the northern governors had embraced the concept of ranching, “because we believe that you cannot ban open grazing without providing an alternative.”

On funding, Wade said there are series of approvals given by the federal government but funding issues are still pending.

“What I know is that the FG, the state, and other foreign partners have their counterpart funds for it. While the FG pays 80 per cent, the state is 20 per cent,” he said.

Also speaking on the issue,

the state Commissioner for Information, Mr. Dan Majang said there are currently two grazing reserves in Plateau “on in Wase and the other in Kanam, but ranching will take them over.”

“We are not going to ban open grazing. We would only make the ranches attractive with facilities like schools and healthcare centres, such that, on their own, they will abandon open grazing and embrace ranching,” he added.

The Permanent Secretary in the Adamawa State Ministry for Livestock Production, Alhaji Abdulrahman Tukur also told THISDAY that the state has 30 grazing reserves across the 21 LGAs of the state, stressing that if given adequate funding, the state government would convert the grazing reserves into ranches.

“It will take billions of naira to establish ranches in the state because establishing a ranch requires a lot of resources,” he added.

On its part, the Kwara State Government has disclosed that it has applied for a sum of N10billion to ensure full utilisation of the pilot grazing reserves in the state.

The Technical Assistant to Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq on Agriculture, Mr. Abdulquiwy Olododo, stated this in Ilorin while speaking with THISDAY. "There are 16 grazing reserves in the state with one cattle ranch and this totals 147,000 hectares of land".

Olododo noted that the N6.25 billion that was approved for Katsina State was for the establishment of livestock service centres to curb farmers-herdsmen clashes and also provide more economic value for the livestock value chain in the country.

"Kwara State has equally applied for the same funds for the same purpose. This is driven by the fact that the livestock value chain is a paramount sub-sector to our administration, as clearly spelt out in the Agricultural

Transformation Plan. This is in line with the feasibility studies done by the state government to ensure full utilisation of the pilot grazing reserves in the state.

The sum of about N10 billion was applied for".

Kebbi State Commissioner for Agriculture, Alhaji Abdullahi Maigari Dakingari, also told THISDAY that the state Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Animal Health and Husbandry were working together to identify and revive the grazing zones and establish the ranches “to keep our Fulani herders in a place to avoid the clashes between them and the farmers.

"The ranches proposal will be a good idea that will work for Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, and Katsina in the North-west zone and we are ready to accept it.

It’s a welcome idea to address the grazing issues," he said.

"I won't be able to tell you how much we will need to establish the ranches now since both the affected ministries are still working on it. But I can assure you that we will make it public as soon as we finalise all the paperwork and deliberation on it", he added.

On his part, the Benue State Governor, Dr. Samuel Ortom, has insisted that if the President Buhari administration must actualise the cattle grazing reserves agenda or any other thing different from ranching, the government must be ready to kill everybody in the state.

He insisted that the state would not repeal its anti-open grazing law.

Sokoto State has also initiated a regional cattle ranching project, which will cost an estimated N3 billion on a 10-hectare expanse of land and will cater to more than 10,000 cattle.

The modern cattle ranch involves high milk-yielding cattle breeds from Brazil and high beef-yielding species from Argentina.

When crossbred with the Sokoto Gudali cattle breed, the species will yield higher milk and beef.

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NEWS

Globacom Signs Deal with Eutelsat of France for Satellite Deployment Emma Okonji Globacom, the second-largest telecoms operator in Nigeria by subscriber number and market share, has signed a deal with Eutelsat of France for satellite deployment in the Nigerian market.

The business deal, which was signed between the two companies at the Elysee Palace in Paris recently, was witnessed by the French President, Mr. Emmanuel Macron.

The Chairman of Globacom, Chief Mike Adenuga, signed on behalf of Globacom, while Eutelsat CEO, Rodolphe Belmer, signed on behalf of Eutelsat of France.

The partnership deal is coming at a time when the federal government has approved the rollout of the 5G network in Nigeria, which will boost internet connectivity in urban and rural communities.

The partnership between the two companies is expected to enhance the deployment of 500 Wi-Fi relay stations to far-flung rural areas, for connection to a Eutelsat satellite.

Likewise, French group, Vocalcom, which already manages the software for Glo telecom’s call centres in Nigeria, is hoping to open a new deal in the mobile-money sphere with Globacom.

According to Adenuga, his franchise’s relationship with the French telecoms giant has been a long and extremely beneficial one.

“The genesis and bedrock of that relationship was the energy team at the Banque Nationale de Paris (BNP) Paris office, led by Guillaume Leenhardt. A great deal of our early success can be attributed to the professionalism, customer orientation, and creativity of that team,” Adenuga said.

According to him, “we worked extremely hard and well together to meet some ridiculously tight deadlines – working through the night till 6 a.m. only to resume work again at 8 a.m. after a quick nap and shower. Those are days I remember with a lot of fondness.

“Soon after the award of

our telecommunications licence in 2003, our relationship with another prominent French company, Alcatel, led at the time by Serge Tchuruk, enabled us to fast-track the roll-out of our infrastructure and close the gap on the competition, which had had a 15-month head start.”

Back in 2017, the French government, in homage to Adenuga’s humanity and relentless strides at rewriting the African business narrative, invested him with a Knight of the Legion of Honour (Chevalier de la Legion d Honneur), the highest French decoration and one of the most famous in the world.

Adenuga became the only and first-ever Nigerian to have received the award since its inception.

He was honoured for his remarkable contribution to the development of FrenchNigerian relations and his appreciation of French culture.

Following the honour accorded him, Adenuga later relocated and rebuilt the Alliance Française, which for several decades was located in Yaba, Lagos.

The Alliance Française is committed to promoting French culture and teaching French as a second language around the world and has been named Mike Adenuga Centre, immediately after the relocation. Since it was declared open to the public in 2019, the centre has been getting commendations from far and near.

While inaugurating the centre during his visit to

Lagos, President Macron said the centre was aimed at fostering friendship between Nigeria and France.

“Lagos is one of the

challenges of, not only Nigeria but Africa. This huge city is a tremendous challenge about how to make people live together in peace. I want

Former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, has called for the electronic transmission of election results in the country.

He made the call at weekend during a national political summit in Abuja, ahead of the general elections in 2023.

“Transmission of election results has been one of the key areas in which reckless, unpatriotic, and self-serving politicians have undermined the integrity of the Nigerian electoral process,” Jega said.

“Bringing remarkable

cultures, languages, literature, music, movies, and common economic projects, among others,” Macron said during his visit to Nigeria.

STRATEGIC MEETING… Deputy governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra State, Mr. Emeka Okafor (left), and Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, at a meeting on the upcoming Anambra State gubernatorial election in Lagos…recently

Naval Chief Explains Citing of Naval Base in Kano Says it's for administrative, operational purposes Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, has explained that the establishment of the Naval Logistics College in Kano is for administrative and operational reasons.

The CNS spoke at the second edition of the “Open Ear Dialogue” with the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor, service chiefs, and senior editors/media executives of various media establishments in the country.

Gambo, who was

represented by the Chief of Training and Operations, Rear Admiral Abraham Adaji, said the logistics college was established alongside two other bases at Oguta in Imo State and Lekki in Lagos State that will perform maritime duties.

2023 Elections: Jega Insists on e-transmission of Results

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

France to be part of this story.

I do want my country and its citizens to be part of this experience, which means sharing the same values,

integrity to the Nigerian electoral process, therefore, would no doubt require the jettisoning of the traditional obtuse manual transmission of results, and its replacement with using appropriate technology with electronic transmission of results.”

The former INEC boss also expressed worries over citizens’ lack of trust in the electoral process and the poor performances by those elected through the process.

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mike Ozekhome, on his part blamed the failure of the electoral system on Nigerians who ‘enthrone tyranny during elections for

peanuts’.

“Are we practicing democracy? No. We are practicing election-ocracy, that is my new term for it. What do I mean by election-ocracy?

Every four years, Nigerians go out to the poll to carry out a ritual of electing their leaders,” he explained.

“They never actually elect them anyway because their leaders select themselves, they are state captors. They have captured the state.”

In his remarks, A political economist, Professor Pat Utomi, proposes a solution – the merger of three political parties aside from the ruling All Progressives

Congress (APC) and the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He said, “To project these desires, the comity of NCFront for Political Parties is proposing the merger of three of the leading political parties outside of the PDP and the APC to merge with a plan to absorb other parties and righteous wings of the APC and the PDP.” Many of the participants believe that Nigerians must be ready to embrace the right motives of electing those that will lead them via a credible electoral process to ensure good governance in the country.

"What the Navy established in Kano is a logistics college.

This has thrown up reactions but has also allowed us to shed light on our establishments across the nation and some of the programmes we have as far as developing capacity is concerned," he said.

The naval chief said the college was a breakout from the Finance and Logistics College located in Owerrinta, Abia State He said due to the growth and development, it was considered that the colleges should be separated, and "the logistics college is now moved to Kano."

He said: "It was just a coincidence that the CNS is from Kano. Nation building is also the responsibility and role of the Nigerian Navy.

Serving in the Navy are Nigerians from 36 states of the country.

"The Naval base in Kano was established purely for administrative and operational reasons. It is to give vent for proper development of the two colleges, the base will also offer support to naval operations in the North, the operations in the North are currently being supported farther such as Lokoja, Abuja,

Lagos but with this base, operations in the North-west, North-central will greatly be enhanced".

He said the finance college, therefore, remains in Owerrinta.

Explaining further the service's presence in the North, he said the Navy had a provost training college in Makurdi, adding that the Navy was involved in antiterrorism operations across the North alongside other security agencies.

He said the service would also be establishing a forward operating base at the Oguta Lake because of increasing activities of IPOB/ESN as well as sabotage of the country’s oil and gas facilities.

He added that another base is being established at the Lekki axis to protect economic investments critical to the nation's economy.

"Significantly, the Dangote Refinery is coming on stream.

It is not just a refinery but with a fertilizer plant.

"There are several other developments along that corridor worth hundreds of billions of dollars that are worth protection; so, the Navy is also establishing a base to attend to these," he said.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ OCTOBER 3, 2021

EDITORIAL

Editor, Editorial Page PETER ISHAKA Email peter.ishaka@thisdaylive.com

THE SENATE AND ELECTORAL (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2021 Electronic transmission of results holds great promise for integrity and transparency of elections. It will be unwise for the Senate not to correct itself

L

ast week, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) restated its preparedness for the deployment of online transmission of election results ahead of the 2023 general election. Debunking the ‘fears’ being raised by the Senate based on a dubious report from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), INEC reaffirmed that the technological tool would usher in a transparent electioneering process in Nigeria.

According to the INEC chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, the political and ethnic undertones in the debate on the electoral reform bill were unnecessary and counterproductive. He added that the decision for the electronic transmission of results was an outcome of over 10 years of research and study.

We wholeheartedly endorse the position of INEC and join other stakeholders in calling on the Senate not to impede the preparations of the commission ahead of the 2023 general election. With electronic transmission of results, as we have had cause to argue in the past, INEC is not trying to re-invent the wheel. It is something that had been tried by the commission and the outcome was incredible: it increased the integrity of the electoral process.

Besides, our banking and telecommunications systems are about the most advanced in the adoption and application of IT solutions on the African continent. The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and the West African School Certificate Examination (WASCE) rely on automated process for both registration and release of results. The former even conducts its examination electronically throughout the country.

However, in July this year, both chambers of the National Assembly passed the Electoral Amendment Bill under controversial circumstances. While the House of

Representatives has retraced its steps on the issue, the Senate is insisting on retaining the provision that subjects INEC's constitutional power to the approval of the National Assembly and the NCC. This is despite the fact that INEC has debunked the NCC report that a greater percentage of Nigeria is not covered by the Global Satellite Mobile telecommunications system. On the contrary, according to INEC, 93 per cent of Nigeria is fully covered while the remaining seven per cent would be adequately taken care off. All this aside the fact that the constitution prescribes no role for the NCC in the electoral process.

S

ince the House of Representatives, in compliance with the Constitution, has asked INEC to proceed with its mandate, the Senate cannot be said to be acting in good faith. It is more ironical

that the House of Representatives which invited

A reliable technologyenabled system could help minimise disputes over electoral fraud and rigging of results and thereby obviate the need for long-drawn litigation that has hampered democratic choice

Letters to the Editor

N

igeria turned 61 on Friday. Much have been said or written about the so-called giant of Africa. One recalls that on 1st October 1960, the British colonial masters gave us political independence after so much pressure from our political leaders. At 61 years of independence, the country is still battling with myriad challenges of nation-building. Although, the country witnessed frequent leadership changes right from first republic to date, the political journey has failed to transform the country to an eldorado.

Today, the country is deeply and sharply divided along our fault lines. Nigerians

S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R EDITOR DAVIDSON IRIEKPEN DEPUTY EDITORS FESTUS AKANBI, EJIOFOR ALIKE MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN MANAGING EDITOR BOLAJI ADEBIYI THE OMBUDSMAN KAYODE KOMOLAFE

T H I S DAY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, ISRAEL IWEGBU, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU, EMMANUEL EFENI DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS SHAKA MOMODU, PETER IWEGBU, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR PATRICK EIMIUHI CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com

the NCC ignored their jaundiced counsel and granted INEC the discretion to transmit results electronically while the Senate which did not invite it decided to subject INEC's powers to NCC and the National Assembly approval. Meanwhile, at his meeting with members of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) in December 2019, Yakubu argued that the use of technolog y in results collation and transmission was “long overdue, doable, achievable and inevitable.” That position has repeatedly been reaffirmed by INEC’s National Commissioner for Information and Voter Education, Festus Okoye, including during his interaction with National Assembly members. “We have uploaded results from very remote areas, even from areas where you have to use human carriers to access,” he said. “So, we have made our own position clear, that we have the capacity, and we have the will to deepen the use of technology in the electoral process."

Indeed, a reliable technology-enabled system could help minimise disputes over electoral fraud and rigging of results and thereby obviate the need for long-drawn litigation that has hampered democratic choice. The relative success of last year’s governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States was credited to the use of technology in transferring election results.

The introduction of the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IREV) enabled results from polling units to be transmitted to a portal for citizens to view.

In line with extant legislative practice and procedure, a conference committee should be constituted by the presiding officers of both chambers to harmonise the positions before transferring to the President for assent.

Since electoral reforms will be meaningless if they are not driven by technology which enhances integrity and transparency, we hope their decision will be guided only by the national interest.

TO OUR READERS Letters in response to specific publications in THISDAY should be brief (150-200 words) and straight to the point. Interested readers may send such letters along with their contact details to opinion@thisdaylive.com. We also welcome comments and opinions on topical local, national and international issues provided they are well-written and should also not be longer than (950- 1000 words). They should be sent to opinion@thisdaylive.com along with the email address and phone numbers of the writer.

IN SEARCH OF PATRIOTIC LEADERSHIP no longer see themselves as one. There are persistent clamours for the country to be split by secessionist groups as if that would solve the problems. Since the restoration of democracy in the last two decades, the country has earned billions of dollars from the sale of crude oil. Sadly, these petrodollars have been frittered away with the country currently swimming in public debt. The irony of Nigeria is that it consumes more and saves less.

The government’s continued reckless spending has seriously affected the country's economy with the majority of the population living in abject poverty.

According to the World Poverty Clock's report, over

86 million Nigerians live on less than one dollar per day.

This shocking revelation comes at a time when our lawmakers earn millions of naira as monthly salary and allowance. While few people control the country's resources, majority are wallowing in squalor, with youths’ unemployment on the increase. There is correlation between poverty, unemployment and the current insecurity bedevilling the country.

Unless the wide inequality between the haves and haves-not is addressed, the country's insecurity will continue unabated.

At 61 years, Nigeria is yet to get patriotic leaders who can unite the country and take it to the path of

growth and development. What the country have as leaders are just regional and ethnic champions. They see leadership as avenue to promote their sectional or ethnic agenda, rather than for collective national integration. At 61, the Nigerian ruling elites are debating about power rotation while the poorly divided citizens think about the "we versus them". Nobody wants to be called a Nigerian.

We prefer to be identified by our tribes. This is the sad reality the country finds itself. There is no way the country can develop without both the leaders and the followers imbibing the culture of patriotism. In the U.S. and other developed countries, people love their countries first. However, in Nigeria the reverse is the case.

It is only in Nigeria that projects worth billions of naira can be

awarded, but the funds are diverted. It is only in Nigeria that some unpatriotic people will within the comfort of their zone, manufacture fake drugs that are harmful to human lives and flood our market with them. Lack of patriotism among leaders and followers has robbed the country of development. =At 61 years of independence, like any other Nigerians, I am optimistic the country will overcome its numerous challenges. For the country to join the league of prosperous nations, there is the need for Nigerians to search for genuine and patriotic leaders who have the country at heart.

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OPINION

THE RELEVANCE OF MAHATMA GANDHI’S NON-VIOLENCE Rajendra Aneja pays tribute Ghandhi, revered leader and messiah of non-violence

"H

ave you heard of Gandhi?

Do you know of him?” was a question asked of me frequently by my colleagues, as I travelled for work, in faraway countries like Brazil, Colombia and Ecuador. Sure, as an Indian, I had known of the sterling role of Mahatma Gandhi in India’s freedom struggle. However, I was amazed to see his fan following in distant countries, after the epic film, “Gandhi” by Richard Attenborough. The film, which won eight Oscars, took Gandhiji into the far corners of the world. I was also tickled that Richard Attenborough, a Britisher had made the film, on a man who had spent almost his entire life, fighting the British.

The 2nd October is the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the messiah of non-violence and a globally revered leader. He enshrined truth, in all his relations and politics. He proclaimed, “Truth is as old as the hills.” His message of non-violence, is as relevant today, as it was in the 1930s and 1940s, when he led the Indian freedom struggle. The means were as important as the ends, to Gandhi. As the greatest scientist Albert Einstein, “Generations to come will scarce believe that such a one as this ever in flesh and blood walked upon this earth.”

In persuading the British to grant independence to India, Gandhiji followed a policy of non-violence. He asked all the freedom fighters to undertake peaceful resistance, but never resort to violence against the police. There are times, when he would call off a national struggle (“satyagraha”), because some Indians indulged in violence. Every human life was precious for Mahatma Gandhi, even the lives of those who opposed India’s quest for freedom. Those who respect human life, never indulge in violence. By following a policy of non-violence, Gandhiji appeal to the conscience of his opponents.

Mahatma Gandhi impacted the thinking of some global leaders also. Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela were both followers of the non-violence philosophy of Mahama Gandhi. They enshrined his thinking of non-violence in their own struggles, in their own countries.

Mahatma Gandhi spearheaded India’s freedom struggle. However, he never became a pure politician.

Gandhiji was involved in a political struggle, but was guided by his spirituality. Gandhiji evoked respect from his opponents too. The British leaders knew that Gandhiji was a person of principles and was always above board. He meant what he said. He never had a

hidden agenda.

Mahatma Gandhi, never thought along religious lines.

Gandhiji read the Bible, the Quran and the Bhagwat Gita, with equal fervor. He noticed the commonalities in all the religions and advocated mutual respect. Throughout the freedom struggle of India, he involved the Muslims and Christians with equal fervor. Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan and Maulana Azad were among his close associates, who struggled for India’s freedom.

Gandhiji often proclaimed that he was not just a Hindu.

He was a Hindu, Muslim, Christian and Jew, all rolled into one. His vision of India, was a country, where people of all religions lived harmoniously.

Mahatma Gandhi was the greatest unifier of India. His heart broke at the partition of the country in 1947. He wanted the Hindus and Muslims to live together harmoniously. In fact, he was assassinated by extremists who were unhappy with his policy of appeasing the Muslims.

Gandhiji gave his life for his dream of a united India.

Gandhiji practised what he preached. If the Hindus and Muslims rioted, during the partition period, Gandhiji would personally go to reside in the afflicted localities and undertake a fast unto death, till peace was restored. If any Muslim children were orphaned, he would insist that some Hindu family should adopt them. Gandhiji never judged a man by his religion, he focused on the deeds of people.

The world needs to subordinate religion to economics. We need to provide more money, food and medicines to about 36 percent of the global population, living below the poverty line of about US$ 2 per day. The world needs to re-discover Mahatma Gandhi again

Gandhiji practised, what he preached. In his “ashrams”, (retreats, in which small communities lived by Gandhiji’s teachings and principles), the residents had the responsibility of cleaning the toilets too. Traditionally, toilets in India were cleaned by a group of people who were considered “untouchables.” Gandhiji was against any discrimination. He respected all forms of work. So, in his “ashrams” people cleaned all toilets by rotation. As Gandhiji said, “Be the change, you want to see in the world”.

Gandhiji’s autobiography, “My Experiments with Truth”, is written with absolute candour, in simple, basic English, which everyone can understand. It should be made a mandatory text book for school children.

It is important to expose youngsters to leaders, who ushered significant changes in our world, without any violence or firing a single shot from a gun.

Younger generations would also benefit by reading “The Life of Mahatma Gandhi” by the American author, Louis Fischer. This book was my Bible, in my younger days. It is the best book on Gandhiji, written in a very simple style. Fischer spent seven days with Gandhiji at Sevagram Ashram, in Wardha. The author was surprised to see that Gandhiji kept only a black and white picture of Jesus Christ, in his bare room.

However, in most parts of the world, while Mahatma Gandhi is celebrated with statues and postage stamps, his message of non-violence is ignored. The world overflows with armed struggles in Afghanistan, Palestine, Syria, Lebanon, etc. Armed militancy movements like Al Qaeda, ISIS in the Middle East and rebel groups in Colombia and Peru have resulted in the death of thousands of people, in the name of ideological struggles. Many of the embattled people, may not even have heard the name of Mahatma Gandhi. If the Palestinians deploy non-violence, it will attract global attention to their cause.

The world needs to subordinate religion to economics. We need to provide more money, food and medicines to about 36 percent of the global population, living below the poverty line of about US$ 2 per day.

The world needs to re-discover Mahatma Gandhi again. Feeding and clothing the destitute of the world, is the highest religious duty, we can perform.

As Martin Luther King wrote, Mahatma Gandhi “belonged to the ages.”

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NIGERIA AT 61: THE NEED FOR INDUSTRIALISATION The survival of the country depends on our ability and commitment to industrialise, argues Samson Osagie

O

ctober 1, 2021, marks Nigeria's 61st Independence Anniversary with a never-ending quest for a direction that gives the citizenry a definite and tangible value for their collective investment in the Nigerian State.

At independence, the country rising from the ashes of colonialism looked forward to a great and prosperous nation, regional leader and a well-respected global player in the international system.

However, government and governance have been most focused on power acquisition and power retention with minimal attention to Industrial and economic development of our nation.

With ravaging poverty, making the country the world poverty capital, intractable insecurity, making life worthless, religious and ethnic tension, tearing apart National leadership, corruption ravaging every facet of our national life and inflicting a cancerous blow on the fabric of the country and the insensitivity of the political elites to national malaise, etc., Nigeria has continued to regress on all fronts thus leaving the country to fate and chance.

Yet, the story can be reversed. With abundant human, natural and intangible resources a focus on Industrialization by governments at all levels can change the narrative.

A radical and surgical move away from primordial and conservative approach to governance have the capacity to leapfrog the nation into harnessing its potential to produce what we need, reduce dependence on imports, retain capital in Nigeria and Nigerianise the commanding heights of the economy.

What are we doing with few agricultural crops? What are we doing with our crude oil? What do we do with our various solid minerals- bauxite, limestone, gold,

clay, gypsum, iron ore, salt, zinc, lead, cassiterite (tin ore), dolomite, tantalite, marble, magnesite, kaolin, bentonite, oil and gas, uranium, lead, zinc, lignite, phosphate, glass, sand, lead, lignite. wolfram, columbite, uranium, magnesium, barite, coal, gemstone, to mention just a few of them, scattered all over the country? Many of these endowments are either exploited by foreigners with local comprados for exports as mere raw materials or illegally mined for a few unpatriotic business persons for their personal enrichment.

We can recreate our sense of purpose by realizing that in the words of Dr Caesar Osaheni Iyayi in his new book, “The ABC of How To Industrialize Nigeria” when he said: "We must take urgent steps to transform Nigeria from an agrarian society to a manufacturing economy. There is no alternative. It is bend or break.

If we fail to industrialise, we will never be able to defend ourselves and shall therefore be at the mercy of foreign powers that dealt ruthlessly with our forefathers. If we fail to industrialise, then we are doomed to suffer another wave of slavery or extinction on African soil”. He went further to posit and accurately so that there is no country in the world that was Industrialize (developed) by foreigners.

Consequently, methinks that the October 1, 2021 must therefore become a watershed for our leaders and citizens to move away from the unbridled quest for power acquisition to National Economic development and Industrialization. I like to see more debates on industrialization models and strategies rather than power rotation. It will be most beneficial to Nigerians to see leaders compete on development indices rather than throwing banters on how to retain power at national and sub national levels. The people want to see what

tangible progress rather than manufactured indices which translate to visible impact on their lives. It is the expectation of the people that government encourages more Nigerian private entrepreneurs to embark on industrial ventures by employing expatriates in areas of deficit of technical expertise.

Nigeria needs to Industrialize. Our country needs to move away from the realm of potentialities.

Admirably, Mr President appreciate this in his Independence broadcast when he said "I fully understand the anxiety of many Nigerians on the inability of this country to go beyond a never-ending potential for becoming a great nation to an actually great one."

Nigerians, resilient, hardworking, skilful and dedicated people with a propensity for positive advancement in an enabling environment need a pragmatic political leadership to lead the way. Unless and until we have such a leadership that breaks away from the culture of unworkable governance model, extraneous matters of ethnicity and religion, unnecessary politicization of service delivery, building industries, infrastructure and workable institutions will continue to be a mirage. Today, we are witnesses to how the pragmatic leadership of the late Lee Kuan Yew and his successors in Singapore moved away the country to a first world. Singapore, with little or no natural resources developed its human resources to attain its current industrial status. . Our survival as a nation depends on our ability and commitment to Industrialize Nigeria. We cannot wait any longer.

The time is now! r %S 0TBHJF B -BXZFS JT (PWFSOBODF %FWFMPQNFOU FYQFSU

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LETTERS

NIGERIAN YOUTHS AND THE ‘JAPA’ SYNDROME

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igration is a constant; it is a wheel that keeps roving. Yes, it is in the nature of man to be peripatetic. People will always move from one place to another for job opportunities, education, health, security and for whatever corporeal or incorporeal desideratum. This is basic.

The first of wave of ‘’japa’’ (Nigerian slang for emigration) in Nigeria was in the ‘70s/’80s. Faced with an uncertain future owing to military interregnums and a volatile economy, the Nigerian young journeyed to the West -- the US and UK -- while some left on a limb to Ukraine. Over the years more Nigerians have departed the country in pursuit of their dreams abroad.

Some of these Diaspora Nigerians have distinguished themselves in different human enterprises. And they constitute a financial bulwark for the country, reportedly remitting about $25 billion annually.

Emigration may even be beneficial to the home country in the long run if citizens return fortified with skills, experience and hard currency to invest and drive development. But to attract these human assets, the home country must be conducive and the government must be deliberate and visionary about its plans and policies for Nigerians in the Diaspora.

Nigerians have not been the only ones ‘’japaing’’, the Chinese have been leaving their country in stupendous numbers since the ‘80s. In fact, prior to the 1980s when liberal emigration policies were enacted, China had witnessed an exodus of its citizens in the 19th century.

These emigrants left the country owing to poverty, corruption, war and general societal malaise. The government had to enforce laws to curb mass emigrations. But in the 1980s, it relaxed these laws in line with its vaunted but convoluted ‘’laisser-faire’’ approach to governance.

Since the ‘80s more Chinese have left their country.

In a 2014 article, ‘The Great Chinese Exodus’, The Wall Street Journal reported the why and wherefores of the Chinese emigration. It said: ‘’Today, China's borders are wide open. Almost anybody who wants a passport can get one. And Chinese nationals are leaving in vast waves: Last year, more than 100 million outbound travellers crossed the frontiers. Most are tourists who come home. But rapidly growing numbers are college students and the wealthy, and many of them stay away for good. A survey by the Shanghai research firm Hurun Report shows that 64% of China's rich—defined as those with assets of more than $1.6 million—are either emigrating or planning to.’’

If citizens of a global power and first-class country

like China could be exiting in legions, should it be concerning that young citizens of Nigeria are taking precipitous flights out of the country?

Well, it should unnerve us. It means we have not created a congenial environment to keep the live-wire of the country, and it implies that we may be doing something wrong.

About 8,737 doctors who obtained their degrees in Nigeria are currently practising in the UK. According to the UK General Medical Council, 862 Nigerian doctors were licensed to practise in the country in 2020; while between June 2021 and September 2021, 353 doctors were registered to practise in

the UK. This should trouble us all – in a country where the ratio of doctor per patient is 1:5,000 against the World Health Organisation’s recommendation of 1:600. Nigerians who earned their degrees in Nigeria are being harvested by foreign countries. A few months ago, Saudi Arabia was conducting a screening exercise for Nigerian doctors it wanted to magic away in Lagos and Abuja. And we keep losing invaluable human resources.

While a mass of Nigerians (doctors, tech experts, academics, students) leaving the country constitutes a significant drain to the national talent pool, the other

THE ATIKU, WIKE, FINTIRI GAME

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n Wednesday, September 29, 2021, at the Akwa Ibom Governor’s residence in Abuja, 12 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors in a meeting, zoned the party chairmanship to the north.

Some politicians were quick to assert that the governors’ decision did not in any way affect the party’s presidential ticket status - whether it will be zoned to the north or south. Those people are either third-rate politicians or they don’t want to accept the reality. Zoning party offices in correlation with the other executive offices, the presidency inclusive, has been the tradition of the major political parties in Nigeria since 1999. For the PDP for instance, the office of the party’s national chairman and the presidency always reflect the spirit of zoning.

Solomon Lar from the north was paired with Olusegun Obasanjo/south. Audu Ogbeh/north, Olusegun Obasanjo/south. Barnabas Gemade/north, Olusegun Obasanjo/south. Ahmadu Ali/north, Olusegun Obasanjo/south. Vincent Ogbulafor/south, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua/north.

Haliru Mohammed Bello/ north Goodluck Jonathan/ south. Kawu Baraje/north, Goodluck Jonathan/south.

Bamanga Tukur/north, Goodluck Jonathan/south.

Adamu Mu’azu/north, Goodluck Jonathan/south.

Uche Secondus/south, Abubakar Atiku/north (presidential ticket) In fact, zoning has been guiding the Nigerian project, despite the fact that it is not in the constitution of Nigeria. We must also admit that from 1999 to 2019 many politicians ignored their party’s zoning arrangement, though it was only former President Goodluck Jonathan that succeeded in tampering with it via the power of incumbency.

Political pundits' special interest in the voting pattern of the PDP governors is on those governors from the Northeast -Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa, and Governor Darius Ishaku of Taraba- they all voted for the chairmanship to be zoned to the south.

Former Vice President and 2023 Presidential hopeful Atiku Abubakar must have been very happy with the northeast governors’ voting pattern, though Governor Bala is also nursing a presidential ambition. Some people are also of the view that what happened was just a stunt by the PDP governors, they have their own plans.

Furthermore, of particular focus is Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State. When Fintiri granted an interview to BBC Hausa Service Radio, on September 3, 2021, he refused to give blanket support to Atiku’s presidential ambition. When Fintiri was asked whether he would support Atiku if he Atiku presented himself for the 2023 presidential elections, Fintiri refused to give a definite answer. However, On September 29, 2021, Fintiri voted for the South to produce the PDP Chairman, thus for the north to have the presidential ticket. So, we that heavily criticized Fintiri for not endorsing Atiku during the BBC interview, we were wrong?

Has Fintiri been vindicated?

As he said only time will tell! We were wrong and right at the same time.

Fintiri has been vindicated and not vindicated at the same time. What are we saying? If today, Atiku is asked whether he will support Fintiri for a second term as Adamawa governor in 2023, if Atiku refuses to give a definite answer, how would Fintiri feel? Knowing fully well the complexity of Adamawa politics, Governor Fintiri has unknowingly set a poor standard in the state’s politics.

For voting south, Fintiri was politically correct to be fair to him. Governor Fintiri

is in the know of so many things in the PDP national politics that many of us are not privy of. He heads the PDP powerful National Convention Committee.

However, Fintiri's intimatepolitical romance with Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers States makes Adamawa, home state of Atiku as the battle-ground for the Wike-Atiku game.

We all know that Wike will never promote politics that will give Atiku an advantage.

As for Atiku, is he now counting losses or gains in Adamawa politics? This is anybody’s guess. Atiku is for sure recollecting former Governor Boni Haruna’s absolute loyalty. Boni, despite his sound education, calmness, the big political opportunities during the Obasanjo-Atiku fight, he accepted to lose both political and economic power and put his entire political lieutenants in a boat of ‘missed-opportunities’ fighting his boss’s political cause. The loyalty Boni gave Atiku and the opportunities he provided to the Atiku political family in his government, Fintiri didn't give them even 5%. Though Governor Fintiri has his own style and forecast as a young politician.

You can’t expect two people to think and operate in the same way.

r ;BZZBE * .VIBNNBE "CVKB

horde of citizens exiting are those frustrated by the afflictions of the system but largely unskilled. We should not in any way deride those seeking economic refuge abroad, but it is uncharitable to reduce Nigeria to a desert of opportunities -- where personal growth and accomplishments are completely arid – as some are opining.

The fecundity of a place most times depends on how willing we are to tend it. I strongly believe we can plant our seed anywhere, water and tend it, and watch it grow. Nigeria is not arid of opportunities.

Those making a spectacle of their emigration from Nigeria on social media as if the country is some infernal and desolate place only fit for miserable creatures, will realise soon enough that their identity as individuals abroad is intrinsically linked to Nigeria. Our first contact with the world outside our native sphere is as Nigerians; and we will always be seen, evaluated or judged as Nigerians.

Ridiculing Nigeria to make a point is self-immolation. We are all eternally connected to Nigeria, and whatever image we project of our country, we make of ourselves.

We can make treasures out of the exodus of Nigerian citizens by following the China example. China’s Diaspora contributed immensely in the rise of China as a global power – through capital investment, technology transfer, and innovation. It has even been argued that the Chinese Diaspora appropriated Western technology and transferred it back home. The Chinese government considers its citizens in Diaspora as an extension of China and as agents to drive its domestic interest. The government intervenes directly in the lives of its citizens abroad, even influencing projects in areas populated by Chinese.

It is not all lost. The Nigerian government can make lemonade out of these lemons – only if it wills it.

r 'SFESJDL /XBCVGP GSFESJDLOXBCVGP!ZBIPP DPN

THE SALE OF EDO LIBRARY

I

was dismayed when l read about the outright falsehood being peddled about the sale of Edo Library and the Ministry of Agriculture by some uninformed persons, guided by emotions. No doubt, those pushing this story appear confused and are behaving like sore losers.

How could the alleged sales of Edo State Library and the Ministry of Agriculture be compared to the sale of Edo House, located in Lagos, an edifice which was inherited by Edo State, after the historic division of the then Bendel State, into Edo/Delta States respectively?

To me, it is a case of conjuring unnecessary sentiments, because the sale of Edo House was a grand design hatched by the then government of Adams Oshiomhole, to rip off the state.

But thanks to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the opposition political party then, under the leadership of Chief Dan O. C. Orbih, attempts to manipulate the people to buy into the unpopular idea failed.

Governor Godwin Obaseki, for me, l will say, is the proverbial single voice, that has been able to transcend the forest (according to an Ishan proverb). If l am to outline some of the investment efforts the Obaseki administration has attracted to the state, l may just be deviating from this issue. But imperatively, the modular refinery which has since been completed, but, to our dismay, the much-needed crude oil pipelines, expected from the federal govern-

ment, have not been connected, is a matter for another day. The Gelegele Sea Port is ongoing, the Industrial Hub, the Independent Power Station, coupled with the political bullying Mr. Governor Godwin Obaseki is going through, within the state, and at the national level, the so-called 'single train being piloted by him has not stopped. The governor keeps moving.

The governor is being persecuted politically, via the 'pull him down' being piloted by members of the opposition political party.

Back to the alleged sale of Edo Library and the Ministry of Agriculture: those peddling these lies about the alleged sale also mentioned that Shoprite is owned by foreign investors. This is far from the truth. The fact of the matter is that, as of today, all Shoprite outlets in this country are owned

by Nigerians by way of franchise. South African investors have since sold their shares, and left the country. For a state to attract any investment of the magnitude like Shoprite, the government must guarantee two things: land and security, which must be provided, as part of the Memoranda of Understanding (MOU).

Governor Obaseki has made it clear that the shares on this investment will be sold to Edo State people. Therefore, this dust being raised about the sale of Edo Library and the Ministry of Agriculture is unnecessary.

r %JBHJ -VDLZ #FOJO $JUZ

16

SUNDAY OCTOBER 3, 2021 • T H I S D AY

17

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER OCTOBER 3, 2021

BUSINESS

Editor: Festus Akanbi 08038588469 Email:festus.akanbi@thisdaylive.com

When Elders Lead Campaign against Economic Strangulation Until the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, cried out last week, it is believed that the anarchy caused by secessionist agitators in the South–east has so far robbed the zone of over N50 billion and further destroying the economy, Festus Akanbi writes

I

ndeed, the resilience, ingenuity, and shrewdness of the Igbo people in the area of entrepreneurship have remained their main survival strategy in any part of the world they Ànd themselves in.

This is why, despite the indisputable political marginalisation of the Igbo people of the South-east region of the country, their business acumen has created a situation that whenever they sneeze, the whole country tends to catch the proverbial cold.

Indeed, the Igbo people are hardworking, enterprising,andrepublican;theyareindependent and they protest anything that will restrict their freedom and business liberty.

This is why the dispensation of the sit-at-home order of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is generating a groundswell of opposition being led by the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

The President-General of the group, Prof George Obiozor, on the occasion of the annual celebration of Igbo Day, appealed for a return to normalcy in Igboland. According to him, IPOB leaders should take note of the danger violence has posed in Igboland, adding that the South-east geopolitical zone “must avoid being a race that has voluntarily chosen to perish in violence and insecurity”.

Obiozor, in a statement titled, ‘Stop Anarchy In Igbo Land, Go For Dialogue’, said what is happening in Igboland today - Imo, Anambra, Enugu, Abia and Ebonyi States - is not liberation but destruction and devastation.

Sit-at-Home Order is Killing Business As IPOB continues to Áex its muscles, narratives in the region are turning into an outright condemnation of its activities which are said to have impoverished the people it claimed to be Àghting for.

Agency reports last week quoted some smallscale business promoters in Enugu and Ebonyi states lamenting that the sit-at-home order is killing their businesses. For instance, a commercial motorist, Okechukwu Nnaji, based in Abakaliki told NAN that motorists started experiencing poor patronage from commuters on May 28.

“As I speak with you, I have not gotten N2,000 for three days now, I normally make N8,000 daily.

“I don’t know how to feed my family if things do not improve soon,” he said.

Afood vendor,Angela Eze popularly known as (MamaAfrica) expressed worry that the situation might aͿect the economy of the state drastically.

She appealed to the government to use diplomacy and Ànd a lasting solution to the problem.

In some states in the South-east, Monday has become an uno΀cial public holiday. Banks’ premises are shut while activities in institutions of higher learning are suspended.

Imo State University, Owerri, Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Imo State Polytechnic, Umuagwo, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, and the Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education, Owerri, are deserted on Mondays too.

Commercial banks onAÀkpo 5oad,Abakaliki, and Ogoja 5oad, among other places visited in Ebonyi State by our correspondents last Monday were locked.

5eports from Enugu, and Aba were not diͿerent as commercial banks were said to be under lock and keys for fear of being attacked by the enforcers of the sit-at-home order.

Transport companies have continued to suͿer deadly blows because some of the major transport companies in Nigeria are largely owned by Igbo businessmen and women.

According to them, they decided to close business every Monday because enforcers of the sit-at-home order allegedly targeted their

vehicles, vandalised, and burnt them while also killing some of their passengers.

During the period, banks, markets, shopping malls, eateries, and shops remained locked.

Schools, mechanic workshops, recreational centres,andchurcheswerealsounderlockandkey.

Some traders that spoke under the condition of anonymity said the issues of killings, beheading, and burning of commercial buses linked to the enforcers of the sit-at-home order were enough reasons for them to stay at home to avoid being attacked.

Orgy of Destruction…

Somewhere in Enugu township, a vehicle conveying food items including vegetables and tomatoeswasburntdownMonday,September27, by some individuals suspected to be the enforcers of the controversial sit-at-home-order. The owner of the consignment was lucky to escape lynching, but he is today hiding somewhere where he is sulking over his losses.

A similar dastardly act was committed in the early hours of Monday, September 6, when a truck laden with motor spare parts heading to Kogi State but parked at the Eluagu Obukpa area of Nsukka in Enugu State, was set ablaze by persons suspected to be enforcing the sit-at-home order.

The violence is described as a deterrence for the violation of the sit-at-home order being implemented to protest the arrest and detention of IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

It was an order which came with the threat of violence and destruction of properties of violators but the Ohanaeze Ndigbo cautioned that the atmosphere of fear, insecurity and destruction being played out will further destroy the economy of the Àve states of the region.

Renewed Threats As traders, proprietors of schools, hotels, banks, and other corporate organisations in the Southeast continue to count their losses, and amidst strong condemnations of the atmosphere of fear and intimidation playing out in the region, IPOB recently raised the bar of anarchy when it declared

anothersit-at-home-orderforOctober1st,insisting there wouldn’t be any movement in the land. It didn’t stop at that, the organisation also forbids the use of the Nigerian Áag in all the Àve states of the Southeast region from September 25.

“IPOB has declared from today 25th September 2021 that all Nigerian Áag mounted anywhere in Biafra land must be brought down, Banks exceptional. IPOB leadership will communicate to banks directly and give them the reason they must peacefully bring down Nigeria Áag in their banking premises before we do it ourselves in our way,” a statement from the group said.

Over N50 billion Lost to Sit-at-Home Order First Vice President of Nnewi Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NCCIMA), Chief Moses Ezukwo, said the development has robbed the zone of over N50 billion so far; adding that the loss in the private sector amounted to over 60 per cent.

On his part, President General of Anambra State Market Amalgamated Association (ASMATA), Chief Ikechukwu Ekwegbalu alleged that hoodlums have hijacked the exercise.

He said: “In Anambra State, all the major markets opened for business but we did not see any trader or customer in the market. The entire markets were deserted due to fear of attack or robbery.

Economic analysts said apart from the North-east and North-west which have lost their economic strength to insurgency and banditry, the South-east is another region that will live with the scars of economic sabotage for a long time.

They explained that given the fact that the nation’s country is just stabilising after the economic shock of the Covid-19 pandemic, forcing people, (who rely on daily activities), oͿ the roads on Mondays will further cripple the economy of the region.

The case of the South-east is worsened by the fact that the informal sector forms the largest chunk of the economy of Igboland.

Enough is Enough

Former Senate President, Ken Nnamani who toed this line, therefore, canvassed the discontinuance of the sit-at-home as a result of the continuous damage to the economy and psyche of the Igbo people.

He said: “Most of our people live on the daily income. Think of the market women who depend on daily earnings to feed their families. Think of students writing external examinations being denied access to the venues.

“How does enslaving our people, denial of means of livelihood add value to our quest for equity and justice? If others reject us, should we also reject ourselves?

“It stands to reason that this sit-at-home cannot be a way forward. We cannot abandon ourselves. In our struggle for equity and justice in the Nigerian federation, we cannot inadvertently inÁict more injuries on ourselves by this sit-at-home. Let wise counsel prevail.”

On his part, former Minister of Information, who was also director-general of the Nigeria Economic Summit Group, Frank Nweke raised the alarm that the sit-at-home order is having a negative economic impact on jobs and businesses in the southeast.

“First of all, the economy is not doing well.

We have just gone through the impacts of COVID, there is misgovernance, corruption.

This economy is not in the best place at the moment.

“There is already hunger in the land. The majority of our people are at the lower rungs of society. They live from hand to mouth. There are families in this country unless they go to the market daily, or do a day’s job, they are not able to feed their families.

“So, when you say sit-at-home, what do you expect them to do? How long do you think you can retain the love and loyalty of such people? Time will tell. But it is a failure of the government. State governments must take full responsibility for their inability to manage this situation,” Nweke stated.

18

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER OCTOBER 3, 2021

FINANCE

Abubakar

Saleh

Ani

Okongu

Ciroma

Falae

Kalu

Adeosun

Muhtar

Awolowo

Usman

Nenadi Usman

Remembering Nigeria’s Class of Post-Independence Ministers of Finance As Nigeria marks its 61st anniversary as an independent nation, Festus Akanbi identiÀes eminent Nigerians, who have manned the Finance Ministry, in this tribute

I

t’s Nigeria’s 61st Independence anniversary. Like other independent African countries, Nigeria has faced its fair share of challenges and complexities of managing its economy after the exit of the British colonial administration in 1960.

Has Nigeria been able to achieve the dreams of leaders of the various independence struggles? The answer is no, going by today’s economic realities.

However, despite the modest nature of the nation’s economic performance in the last 61 years, one cannot but recognise the sheer determination and patriotism of the eminent Nigerians who have called the shots as Ànance ministers in the post-independence era.

Festus Okotie-Eboh 1960-1966 Chief Festus Okotie-Eboh became Nigeria’s Àrst and the longest-serving Minister of Finance for a period of nine years (1957-1966) until he was murdered in the military coup of 1966 alongside other leaders like Prime Minister, Tafawa Balewa, Premier of the North, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Premier of the West, Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola and some senior military leaders.

A Áamboyant politician, he was instrumental in the founding of Nigeria’s Central Bank in 1959 and was also part of the team that brought Julius Berger to Nigeria in the quest to build the Eko Bridge.

Obafemi Awolowo 1967-1971 Obafemi Awolowo was the Àrst premier of the Western Region and later federal commissioner for Ànance, and vice chairman of the Federal Executive Council during the Nigerian Civil War. His invitation to handle the nation’s economy during the Nigerian Civil war period was largely informed by his dexterity in handling the economy of the South-west region as a premier.

Through prudent management of cocoa revenues, he invested in human capital, in industry, agriculture, and rural development, and basic physical infrastructures. He created several institutions to drive the process of social and economic transformation of the region.

Among them were: The Western Nigerian Development Corporation, WNDC; the Finance Corporation; and the Western Nigeria Housing Corporation.

Shehu Shagari 1971-1975 Shehu Shagari, who became Nigeria’s civilian president in 1979, had between 1971 and 1975, served as the Federal Commissioner (a position now called minister) of Ànance. During his tenure as the commissioner of Ànance for Nigeria, Shagari was also a governor for the World Bank and a member of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) com-

mittee of Twenty. Shagari as the Federal Minister of Finance also launched the present Nigerian currency -the Naira. In 1976, Shagari initiated the Nigeria Trust Fund in African Development Bank with the sum of $100 million to assist poor African countries to Ànance some of their developmental projects.

Asumoh Ete Ekukinam 1976-1977 Ekukinam, an economist and administrator, was director of research at CBN from 1966-1972, and later vice-chairman and chairman of the social-economic council to the governor of the South-eastern state. Ekukinam served as Minister of Finance between 1976 and 1977.

James Oluleye 1977-1979 Oluleye was a Nigerian Army major general who served as Federal Commissioner of Finance (1977–79), Federal Commissioner of Establishment and Service Matters (1975–77). He was the Nigerian Governor on the Boards of the World Bank (IBRD), the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the African Development Bank.

Sunday Essang 1979-1983 Essang was the Head of the Department of Economics at the University of Calabar from 1976-1979 before he was appointed as Finance Minister. He was

also the Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Calabar. Essang was appointed the Minister of Finance during the Shehu Shagari administration (1979-1983).

Onaolapo Soleye | 1984-1985 Dr. Onaolapo Soleye served for 20 months as minister of Ànance in the federal cabinet constituted by Maj-General Muhammadu Buhari in his stint as military head of state between January 1984 and August 1985.

Soleye’s major policy actions during his tenure as Minister of Finance include: policies preventing drastic devaluation of the Naira; ReÀnancing of trade debt arrears insured by international organisations; Support for the rationalisation and restriction of imports and the creation of new Naira notes to halt currency smuggling.

Kalu Idika Kalu 1985-1986 He served as Finance Minister of Nigeria, Minister of National Planning, and Transportation Minister. He served twice as the minister of Ànance. He was a presidential aspirant in the 2003 Nigeria general elections, under the platform of The New Nigeria Peoples Party. He participated in research work on developing countries and lectured at the university level. While at the World Bank East Asia and PaciÀc Programmes Department, Kalu contributed signiÀcantly to micro-and macro- economic work on the economies

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER OCTOBER 3, 2021

19

FINANCE Remembering Nigeria’s Class of Post-Independence Ministers of Finance

Shagari

Usman

Soleye

Essang

of Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and Hong Kong.

Chu Okongwu 1986-1990 Okongwu, a Nigerian economist, and a one-time, Governor of the Central Bank, was the Minister of National Planning (1985-1986) and then Minister of Finance (1986-1990) during the Babangida administration. He was appointed chairman of, African Development Bank in June 1989.

Olu Falae 1990-1990 Olu Falae is a Nigerian banker, administrator, was secretary to the military government of Ibrahim Babangida from January 1986 to December 1990 and was brieÁy the Finance Minister in 1990.

In 1985, before his appointment, the military sought the public opinion of an IMF economic structuring proposal as a condition for external credit from the fund. The popular opinion was to reject the proposal. The administration then came up with Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP). During his time in o΀ce, Falae became a vocal defender of SAP even when it was becoming unpopular with the masses, earning him the moniker “Mr. SAP” amongst ordinary Nigerians.

Alhaji Abubakar Alhaji 1990-1993 In 1979, he was posted to the Finance Ministry as the Permanent Secretary. At the Finance Ministry, he was involved in managing Nigeria’s relationship with its external creditors and was on the Nigerian negotiating team for the Lome II agreement.

Alhaji was later posted to the Ministry of Planning before Babangida upgraded his position as Minister of State, Budget and Planning in 1988. Between 1990 and 1993, he was the Minister of Finance. In the mid-1990s, he was the country’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.

Aminu Saleh 1993-1993 Saleh, who became Minister of Finance in 1993, held other national o΀ces which include, Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministries of Finance, Communication and Agriculture; Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Communication, Trade, and Defence; Federal Minister of Industries; Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Head of Federal Civil Service.

Kalu Idika Kalu 1993-1994 He was reappointed and served as Minister of Finance for the second time between 1993 and 1994.

Anthony Ani 1994-1998 Ani was the Minister of State for Foreign AͿairs and Finance Minister of Nigeria from 1994 -1998 during late General Sani Abacha’s regime. He was also a former Chairman of KPMG, former President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN).

Ismaila Usman 1998-1999 Usman was the Finance Minister of Nigeria from 1998-1999. He was suspended by Gen Sani Abacha as the deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria but was appointed

by Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar to oversee the Federal Ministry of Finance.

Adamu Ciroma 1999-2003 Ciroma, a former Governor of the Central Bank, served at various times as Minister for Industries, Agriculture and Finance during the Shehu Shagari administration and served as Minister of Finance in the government of Olusegun Obasanjo from 1999 to 2003.

Okonjo-Iweala

Okotie-Eboh

Oluleye

country’s Sovereign Wealth Fund; issuing the nation’s Àrst-ever Euro Bond; chairing the World Bank and IMF in 2010, chairing the 8th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organisation (MC8) in Geneva in 2011 (the Àrst African to chair these organisations); making Nigeria the premier destination for investments in Africa, and launching the country’s boldest industrialization agenda.

Ahmed

Aganga

He brought gusto and competence to his old job, but it was during his stint at the Ànance ministry that he suͿered a dreadful road accident that nearly cut short his political career and spent months on end in a German hospital. Although he was brought back to his duty post, he later resigned.

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala 2003-2006 Okonjo-Iweala served twice as Nigeria’s Finance Minister and also as Minister of Foreign AͿairs.

During her Àrst term as Finance Minister in the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo, she spearheaded negotiations with the Paris Club that led to the wiping out of $30 billion of Nigeria’s debt, including the outright cancellation of $18 billion. In 2003, she led eͿorts to improve Nigeria’s macroeconomic management including the implementation of an oil-price-based Àscal rule. Revenues accruing above a reference benchmark oil price were saved in a special account, the “Excess Crude Account,” which helped to reduce macroeconomic volatility A development economist, who rose to the position of a managing director of the World Bank, Okonjo-Iweala is unarguable, the most decorated Minister of Finance to date.

Nnenadi Usman 2006-2007 She was appointed the Minister of State for Finance and later the Minister of Finance by the Obasanjo administration. She had served as Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources in Kaduna State in 2002 and later Commissioner for Health from 2002 to 2003.

Shamsuddeen Usman 2007-2009

During his tenure as the Minister of Finance and National Planning, he was the Chairman of the Nigerian National Economic Management Team.

He represented Nigeria as a Governor on the Governing Boards of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. He was a member of the Federal Executive Council, National Economic Council, and the National Council on privatisation.

He was the Àrst Nigerian minister to publicly declare his assets before assuming o΀ce as a public o΀cer, an act considered as a sign of accountability and transparency.

Mansur Mukhtar 2009-2010 He was appointed minister of Ànance in the cabinet of President Umaru Yar’Adua on 17 December 2008.

Muhtar has been executive director of the World Bank from 2011 to 2014. His appointment to this full-time position in Washington is a result of the creation of an additional seat for Africa on the board of the World Bank Group.

In 2014 he moved to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where he became vice president of country operations of the Islamic Development Bank.

Olusegun Aganga 2010-2011 Aganga, who held sway as the Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment of Nigeria, was Àrst nominated by General Obasanjo and appointed by President Jonathan as Minister of Finance from 6 April 2010 to June 2011. Aganga has been widely acclaimed as being responsible for many transformational milestones in Nigeria, including – establishing the

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala 2011-2015 On her second coming, Okonjo-Iweala was appointed the Minister of Finance in Nigeria and Coordinating Minister for the Economy (August 2011 to May 2015). Her legacy includes strengthening the country’s public Ànancial systems and stimulating the housing sector with the establishment of the Mortgage ReÀnance Corporation (NMRC).

She also empowered women and youth with the Growing Girls and Women in Nigeria Programme (GWIN); a genderresponsive budgeting system, and the highly acclaimed Youth Enterprise with Innovation Programme (YouWIN); to support entrepreneurs, that created thousands of jobs. As part of Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, she received death threats and endured the kidnapping of her mother.

Today, she presides over the World Trade Organisation as a Director-General.

Kemi Adeosun 2015 –2018 Adeosun is a former Finance Minister of Nigeria and former chairman of the Board of African Export-Import Bank (AfreximBank).

With a robust private practice experience, Adeosun was appointed Ogun State’s Commissioner of Finance in 2011. She maintained this role from 2011 to 2015 when she helped in turning around the economic fortunes of the state. As a result of her skills and talent in Ànancial management, Kemi Adeosun, as a Minister of Finance was able to manage and sustain the Ànancial sector of the entire country during the recession and regulated the oil industry. It’s due to her eͿorts that a large number of ghost workers were uncovered in the sphere of civil services.

Zainab Ahmed 2018-date Ahmed is a Nigerian accountant, who has been serving as Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning since 2019. In 2015, she was appointed as the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning by President Buhari. She was appointed as Finance Minister upon the resignation of the previous Minister of Finance Kemi Adeosun, on 14 September 2018. At the time, President Muhammadu Buhari brought the two ministries under her as one, making her the de facto Minister of Economy.

20

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER OCTOBER 3, 2021

BUSINESS OUTSIDER

google.com

Running a Successful Family-owned Business Tunji Adegbite

T

he popular fabrics section of the Balogun market in Lagos is populated by businesses in their second or third generation. These businesses are not the regular market trade - they have been in the industry for decades and passed control from one generation to another. Transgenerational family businesses are not unique to the fabric merchants only. Family businesses across diͿerent sectors are one of the mainstays of the Nigerian economy, creating jobs and driving economic activity, accounting for almost two-thirds of businesses in the country.

As ubiquitous as family-owned enterprises are in Nigerian society, most do not outlive the third generation.

Our research at Naspire revealed that only 33% of Nigerian family businesses surveyed were led by second generation family owners; dropping to 7% by the third generation. They struggle with innovation, leadership transitions, and even survival. Despite this, some family businesses are able to thrive. Why? The longevity and success of a thriving transgenerational business can be attributed to a few factors: Leadership, talent development, succession planning, and accountability. · Leadership and Governance: Leading a family business requires both the leadership skills to ensure the growth of the company and the mastery to hold the entire family together. PwC’s 2021 Family Business survey showed that 50% of family businesses in Nigeria had no governance policies compared to 21% globally.

Leaders of family-owned enterprises must deÀne the vision and create a governance structure that outlines the business’s goals, fosters unity among

family and other non-family employees, and provides set guidelines for authority, communication, managing decisions, and diͿerentiating in the marketplace.

The business landscape in Nigeria is increasingly complex and fulÀlling customer needs, adapting to new technology, complying with regulatory requirements while maintain proÀtability involves managing several stakeholders. Creating a clearly deÀned governance structure and vision for the business creates structured guidance for the family’s actions.

Establishing best practices helps minimise conÁict, ensure professionalism, foster ideas exchange, and build resilience. E΀cient leadership is particularly important in Nigeria’s current business environment, where incremental improvements are rarely enough, and businesses must innovate quickly to stay relevant. · Talent Development: While mom and pop style family businesses might get by without external employees, medium to large scale family businesses rely on these external non-family employees for daily operations. Most family businesses at this scale continue to employ or promote people because of their lineage and not based on capability or even suitability for the role. This form of overtly biased recruitment means businesses put square pegs in round holes and increase chances of signiÀcant revenue loss from mismanagement.

Instead, the family business should practice a meritocracy where the best hand for the job is hired while keeping core leadership to a governing board. Family members should be introduced to the business at a level commensurate to their skills

and allowed to rise through the ranks based on merit. Also, this allows the next generation of leaders to gain knowledge of all critical business areas.

In addition to the diͿerent family members involved in the company’s governance, it is essential for a family business of this size to have an independent board of directors or advisors that includes non-family members to balance missing skills, experience and provide neutral guidance during any family conÁict. · Succession Planning One frequently fatal Áaw familyowned enterprises have is the failure to plan for transition. There is a lack of preparation or process for generational change, especially the transition from the Àrst to the second generation. For many of the family businesses surveyed, the Matriarch/ Patriarch started trading as a means to take care of their family and only became a family business when they noticed how lucrative it was.

Although all 33% of family enterprises surveyed in their second generation of ownership reported experiencing more growth and expansion by the second generation, the succession planning of these businesses was accidental as many of their Àrst-generation owners never imagined the company would succeed to its current level. This Ànding is consistent with PwC’s 2021 survey; only 38% of Nigerian family businesses had the next generation involved in the company compared to 55% globally. PwC’s survey further revealed that only 25% of Nigerian family businesses reported having a documented and communicated succession plan.

Only a few businesses are intentional in creating succession plans

and grooming their oͿspring to be able to run the business in their absence.

Most second-generation leaders merely developed an interest in the business and decided to take it further. These family enterprises have Áourished under the inÁuence of their better educated and technological savvy second-generation leaders.

Transition and succession planning is the inÁexion point for family businesses.

There is a need to outline processes to involve the next generation in the vision and operations of the company.

Successful succession planning requires a multi-year implementation plan, lasting three to Àve years, to fully build the capabilities of the next generation and immerse the new CEO into the position. Furthermore, in addition to the CEO role, Àrst-generation owners have to plan about the other key leadership positions that need to be Àlled to ensure success. The goal of any succession plan is not just to select and train people but to ensure that the right tools and assets required are handed to the next generation.

Family enterprises should seek to understand the personal goals of the next generation when planning transition and be open to hiring external leaders where their goals or interest do not align with those of the business.

Why do some family-owned enterprises succeed? Naspire summarises it as: Structure, Systems, Processes and Procedures (2S + 2P for easy recollection). They operate as an actual business instead of a family that just happens to run a business. Family business owners must treat the business as a Àduciary responsibility and continue developing their leadership skills to ensure long term success. Owners must create practical governance structures, system, processes, and procedures to unite businesses into powerful entities to ensure the transition from the Àrst generation to future generations.

21

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER OCTOBER 3, 2021

WOMEN ENTERPRENEURS OLUWABUKOLA AGBALAYA:

With the Right Information, You will Break Boundaries It isn’t every elocutionist who can seamlessly shift the gears of your speaking skills. But this is the primary part of Olubukola Rukayat Agbalaya, The diction queen. She is diͿerentiated by her expertise combined with her ability to get into your mind before your head. She is the founder of Fluent Speech Educational Consult, a speech and reading organisation that helps professionals and individuals hone their speaking and reading skills.Olubukola has written four books, ranging from worksheets to teachers’ guide. Her last book, Speak It Right, is an audiobook. She has trained hundreds of professionals online and o΁ine. In addition to being an elocutionist, she is an audiobook narrator and a reading and learning specialist. She enjoys helping children and adults with reading di΀culties to become Áuent in a space of few months. In this interview with Oyinlola Sale, she explains how she became the Diction Queen

Y

organisation done to curb it?

Curbing illiteracy isn’t a walk in the park. In truth, Illiteracy is a problem that strikes every community - even highly educated countries. At Fluent Speech Educational Consult, we promote literacy both online and offline through our seminars, training, workshops, competitions conferences, and corporate social responsibility. We create supports for schools, individuals, and organisations - which has proved to enhance the status quo. Some months ago, our CSR was at AOCOED International School to influence the learners’ diction and reading skills. Interestingly, our objectives were met and the impact was satisfying.

ou are called the Diction Queen, because of your excellent delivery as an elocutionist in Nigeria, now how did you arrive here?

As the first child of a family of six, I learned early enough that I wouldn’t get anything on a platter. I knew I needed to prove myself.

So, the name “Diction Queen” came from years of hard work, consistency, and discipline. I worked for it and still working to retain it. It’s hard to be an elocutionist in this part of the world, and I was given a thousand and one reasons why I won’t succeed as an elocutionist. The fact that our people hide under the mediocrity that English isn’t our fathers’ language is an excuse to stop funding the dream. But I know what I wanted, and I’m determined to make it a reality.

What impact has your company, Fluent Speech Educational Consult made in the educational sector?

In the educational sector, it is evident that there is a yawning gap between English pronunciation and other aspects of the language. At Fluent Speech, English Diction is one of our pillars. Our job is to bridge the gap between distinct English pronunciation and poor pronunciation. We are committed to helping executives, professionals, individuals, and children polish up their spoken English.

We help speakers become fine, powerful, and eloquent speakers. We have even been able to help over 10,000 executives, professionals, and young children improve their spoken English, public speaking skills, and poise.

We also take literacy intervention Agbalaya courses for children and adults, and the outcome has been satisfactory and to search out, study, and pronounce fulfilling. properly. It also contains tips to help you speak right. Each word is tranOver the years, you have written scribed using the IPA (International four books, but your recent one is Phonetic Alphabet) and it includes Speak It Right, tell us about it?

The Speak ITRight audiobook makes a simple explanation of the word in layman’s language. An audio CD is a best-selling author. The audiobook was created to help anyone who wants attached which is a pronunciation guide for all the words highlighted in to learn the correct pronunciation of the booklet. The audiobook has sold words conveniently and in a simplified way. The audiobook contains over over 1,500 copies within and outside two hundred (200) commonly mispro- Nigeria. A soft copy is also available. nounced English words.

You are also an Audiobook NarraThey have been compiled in alphabetical order to make it easier for you tor, how do you infuse your emo-

What did it take for you to become a TEDx-trained Speaker?

It took a lot but most importantly, my love for sharing ideas, as the TEDx slogan stated - ideas are worth sharing. This made me seek how to become one. The truth is information is powerful. When you have the right information, you would break boundaries. I sought the information, took action and I did it... “A TEDx trained speaker”. I am looking forward to the opportunity of being a speaker at a TEDx speaking engagement soon.

tions verbally?

The secret is my understanding that uttering words with the right emotions is the ultimate way to touch people. I have finely honed skills at understanding where to apply emotion or take on the story I am telling or the character I am inhabiting. I understand that reading words with clear diction isn’t enough so when it’s time to add emotion I make sure I add it authentically.

Illiteracy in this part of the world is a major issue, what has your

What are some of the challenges you have faced along the line in this business?

I have faced numerous challenges which makes me feel tired, frustrated, and sick sometimes. Amongst those challenges is dealing with those set of people who hide under the mediocrity that the English Language is not our fathers’ language, even when English is unanimously made the official language of the nation.

What is your growth projection for Fluent Speech Educational Consult in the next 5 years?

Fluent Speech Educational Consult is an organisation built on God’s direction..at Fluent Speech, we work with a-list executives, professionals, organisations, schools, and individuals. In the next five years, we want to be one of the best Elocution, public speaking, and reading intervention academy in Nigeria.

22

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER OCTOBER 3, 2021

BUSINESS INTERVIEW CHIJIOKE MAMA PIA’s Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund is a Game Changer Nigeria may have created a critical foundation for the much-desired industrialisation and economic development with the recent enactment of the Petroleum Industry Act. With 206.53 trillion cubic feet of proven gas reserves, the country’s appalling poor gas utilisation rate may be a thing of the past, following the birth of the PIA, which has provided the impetus for participation in the gas sector, given the new and attractive terms embedded in it. In this interview with Kunle Aderinokun, Managing Director, Meiracopp Nigeria Limited, Dr. Chijioke Mama, believes the new provisions are supply-side enablers, capable of provoking commercial interests and investments in gas utilisation. Mama, who is one of the leading voices in Africa’s energy, infrastructure and development discourse, also speaks on the importance of the CBN N250billion gas sector intervention fund, giving a beacon of hope that, in a decade, Nigeria’s gas sector would have been optimally developed

N

igeria has launched a decade-long initiative for gas development, is there a real promise?

Evidently, there are inherent promises in Nigeria’s decade-long initiative to develop natural gas.

However, their materialization or full realisation will depend largely on a number of factors, including government’s commitment to policy implementation, which in this case, primarily refers to the National Gas Policy approved in June, 2017. Equally important, in my opinion, is the quality of commercial participation that the decade of gas initiative is able to elicit. I think the latter is more critical compared to the former, because the twin challenge of creating bankable gas utilisation projects and rallying su΀cient private capital for its implementation are arguably the most critical hurdles facing the initiative. Nevertheless, I Àrmly believe that the core objectives of the decade of gas initiative are attainable within the next ten years, if, as I said earlier on, the policy implementation mechanism; the commercial frameworks and the investment appetite are optimally aligned. The National Gas Policy makes it clear, that growing the gas sector as an industry in its own right (i.e. properly decoupled from oil) and driving gas-based industrialisation in Nigeria are its fundamental aspirations. Thus the 206.53 tcf of proven gas reserves in Nigeria could become the critical foundation for the much-desired industrialisation and economic development.

How can the initiative be positioned to elicit quality commercial participation?

The gas utilisation value chain in Nigeria is nascent and largely underdeveloped. Beyond a handful of companies, speciÀcally Nigeria LiqueÀed Natural Gas, Indorama-Eleme Petrochemical, Notore and most recently Greenville LNG & Dangote Group’s urea plant; there aren’t many other existing gas-based industries that consume greater than 70 mmscf/d, within chemical process plants. That’s a poor rate of domestic utilisation for Africa’s largest gas reserves holder. However, the Federal Government is currently providing a number of enablers, which are needed to realise the full potential of the gas sector. This includes the development of critical infrastructures and systems such as the on-going OB3 pipeline, AKK pipeline and the Nigerian Gas Transportation Network Code.

The NGTNC for instance, provides streamlined operational and Àscal terms for third-party use of gas distribution and transmission infrastructures.

The recently enacted Petroleum Industry Act further provides new and attractive terms for

projects that may cost less than $10 million, small-scale gas-to-liquid projects, natural gas liquid projects, captive power generation projects for commercial oͿ grid, LPG import terminals and other similar-sized project.

Talking of the PIA, how does this new legislation encourage gas investments?

Broadly speaking, the PIA provides more attractive terms for gas-based investments.

Firstly, there are now su΀cient incentives for upstream gas development, as the gas pricing regime has been upwardly reviewed. Pre-PIA gas pricing structure was $2.5 per mmbtu for the power sector and $1.5 per mmbtu for gasbased industries. However, the new PIA now speciÀes a base price of $3.2 for the power sector with provision for yearly reviews. Similarly, gas-based industries will purchase gas within a price band that is capped at $3.2 with a Áoor price of about $0.9. The new price regime oͿers a better incentive, for the development of NonAssociated Gas, which may in turn encourage more gas commercialisation projects. The Act goes further to enhance the existing incentives for gas companies, including exemption from the new Hydrocarbon Tax for both Associated Gas and Non-Associated Gas projects among other Àscal incentives. One of the most important provisions of the PIA for the gas sector is the establishment of the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund, which shall have the power to make equity investments into relevant gas infrastructure projects and consequently encourage private sector investment through participation and risk sharing.

Mama

participation in the Nigeria gas sector.

These are supply-side enablers, which are capable of eliciting commercial interests and investments in gas utilisation.

What is the suitability and adequacy of the CBN’s N250 billion gas sector intervention fund?

Well, you need to understand the capital requirements of projects within the gas value chain, in order to appreciate the usefulness and suitability of this facility. So, let me provide some insights in gas Ànancing and project development cost proÀles. Firstly, the N250 billion gas intervention fund is a very good initiative, because it provides comparatively more aͿordable capital for certain categories of gas projects, particularly the medium to small scale gas projects. However, because the facility is designed to accommodate multiple obligors, it cannot be suitable for large Capex projects. DiͿerent gas-

utilisation technologies have diͿering cost proÀles, including, LNG, Methanol, Power Generation, Ammonia-Urea, Compressed Natural Gas, OleÀns plants and Natural Gas Liquids. To set up a one million tonnes per annum LNG plant you need about $1.25 billion in capex, using dollar per tonne per annum (US$TPA) values of about $1,250. This covers the full cost of equipment and facilities for gas treatment, liquefaction, storage, export and marine infrastructures. Similarly to build a one million tonnes per annum Ammonia-Urea plant you will require more than $1 billion in capex, covering cost of ammonia & urea plants, as well as, utilities and facilities. For this category of projects, Ànancing will typically come from a club of lenders. Therefore, the candidate projects and candidate technologies for the N250 billion facilities include: Áare gas utilisation projects that cost $10 – 20 million, CNG production and distribution

Where should Nigeria be at the end of this decade of gas initiative?

For me, there is that desire to have an optimally developed gas sector, which takes the credit of being the force behind Nigeria’s already attained industrialisation – in retrospect of course. It will be nice to know that Nigeria’s LNG export capacity has surpassed that of Qatar at 110 MTPA. It will be nice to read that Nigeria has the highest petrochemical production capacity in the world, being the largest exporter of polypropylene, polyethylene and other oleÀns. I hope that the decade of gas will catalyse su΀cient changes that will position Nigeria as the largest urea manufacturing hub in the world. In the local utilisation front, it will be nice to see su΀cient gas distribution pipelines in gas stiÁed regions, delivering huge volumes of gas daily to industrial demand centers and commercial clusters and buoyed by a vibrant and cost eͿective virtual pipeline delivery system that enables Áexible, remote and micro-volume delivery to gas consumers in all parts of this country.

T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R • OCTOBER 3, 2021

23

MARKET NEWS A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager.

Investors with similar objectives buy units of the Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities that willl generate their desired return.

An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into shares. Investors can buy these ‘shares’ on the

floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

A REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is an investment vehicle that allows both small and large investors to part-own real estate ventures (eg.

Offices, Houses, Hospitals) in proportion to their investments. The assets are divided into shares that are traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

GUIDE TO DATA: Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 29Sept-2021, unless otherwise stated.

Offer price: The price at which units of a trust or ETF are bought by investors.

Bid Price: The price at which Investors redeem (sell) units of a trust or ETF. Yield/Total Return: Denotes the total return an investor would have earned on his investment. Money Market Funds report Yield while others report Year- to-date Total Return.

NAV: Is value per share of the real estate assets held by a REIT on a specific date.

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS

MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS

AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 818 885 6757 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund 161.22 162.58 -0.42% Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 7.55% Nigeria International Debt Fund 318.54 318.54 -15.98% Afrinvest Dollar Fund 106.73 107.78 -3.68% ALTERNATIVE CAPITAL PARTNERS LTD info@acapng.com Web: www.acapng.com, Tel: +234 1 291 2406, +234 1 291 2868 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ACAP Canary Growth Fund N/A N/A N/A ACAP Income Funds N/A N/A N/A AIICO CAPITAL LTD ammf@aiicocapital.com Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AIICO Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 9.27% AIICO Balanced Fund 3.34 3.50 -1.81% info@anchoriaam.com ANCHORIA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED info@anchoriaam.com Web:www.anchoriaam.com, Tel: 08166830267; 08036814510; 08028419180 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Anchoria Money Market 100.00 100.00 8.06% Anchoria Equity Fund 135.68 137.36 2.78% Anchoria Fixed Income Fund 1.14 1.14 -14.01% ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund 19.83 20.43 9.36% ARM Discovery Balanced Fund 435.55 448.69 8.79% ARM Ethical Fund 38.78 39.95 15.04% ARM Eurobond Fund ($) 1.09 1.09 -1.09% ARM Fixed Income Fund 0.98 0.98 -6.60% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 8.48% AVA GLOBAL ASSET MANAGERS LIMITED info@avacapitalgroup.com Web: www.avacapitalgroup.com Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Fund 106.48 106.48 4.69% AVA GAM Fixed Income Naira Fund 1,038.62 1,038.62 3.86% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA Mansard Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com ; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund 2.07 2.07 -5.28% Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) 2.07 2.11 -4.99% CARDINALSTONE ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfunds@cardinalstone.com Web: www.cardinalstoneassetmanagement.com ; Tel: +234 (1) 710 0433 4 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CardinalStone Fixed Income Alpha Fund 1.02 1.02 3.44% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 8.69% Paramount Equity Fund 16.67 16.98 4.24% Women's Investment Fund 138.16 139.76 3.82% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 9.53% Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 120.61 121.40 Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 N/A N/A Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 107.77 107.77 CORONATION ASSEST MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com , Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coronation Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A 100.00 100.00 7.57% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 5.77% EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund 1,162.28 1,180.56 0.95% FBNQUEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Bond Fund 1,423.01 1,423.01 11.65% FBN Balanced Fund 192.51 193.80 2.57% FBN Halal Fund 113.09 113.09 9.28% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 9.53% FBN Dollar Fund (Retail) FBN Smart Beta Equity Fund FCMB ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED Web: www.fcmbassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Legacy Money Market Fund Legacy Debt Fund Legacy Equity Fund Legacy USD Bond Fund FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Coral Balanced Fund Coral Income Fund Coral Money Market Fund

127.09 159.97

127.09 3.79% 162.12 5.82% fcmbamhelpdesk@fcmb.com

Bid Price 1.00 3.98 1.60 1.19

Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn 1.00 6.22% 3.98 2.78% 1.64 5.28% 1.19 4.75% coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com

Bid Price N/A N/A N/A

Offer Price N/A N/A N/A

Yield / T-Rtn N/A N/A N/A

GREENWICH ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gtlgroup.com Web: www.gtlgroup.com ; Tel: +234 1 4619261-2 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Greenwich Plus Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Nigeria Entertainment Fund N/A N/A N/A GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gdl.com.ng Web: www.gdl.com.ng ; Tel: +234 9055691122 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn GDL Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A INVESTMENT ONE FUNDS MANAGEMENT LTD enquiries@investment-one.com Web: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Abacus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 7.65% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.83 2.90 -0.75% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 4.50% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 153.57 153.85 -1.24% Vantage Equity Income Fund (VEIF) - June Year End 1.30 1.35 3.48% Vantage Dollar Fund (VDF) - June Year End 1.10 1.10 4.21% LOTUS CAPITAL LTD fincon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund 1.45 1.47 6.25% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,157.41 1,157.41 6.53% MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD info@meristemwealth.com Web: http://www.meristemwealth.com/funds/ ; Tel: +234 1-4488260 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Meristem Equity Market Fund 11.55 11.58 10.17% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 9.18% PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD info@pacassetmanagement.com Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A PACAM Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A PACAM Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A PACAM Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A PACAM EuroBond Fund N/A N/A N/A SCM CAPITAL LIMITED info@scmcapitalng.com Web: www.scmcapitalng.com; Tel: +234 1-280 2226,+234 1- 280 2227 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SCM Capital Frontier Fund 132.65 134.95 8.28% SFS CAPITAL NIGERIA LTD investments@sfsnigeria.com Web: www.sfsnigeria.com, Tel: +234 (01) 2801400 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SFS Fixed Income Fund 1.06 1.06 10.07% STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD assetmanagement@stanbicibtc.com Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDS Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Balanced Fund 3,422.46 3,459.42 6.57% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 233.37 233.37 3.79% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 1.23 1.25 5.08% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 308.22 308.22 4.60% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 229.05 232.32 4.92% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 7.45% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 10,468.85 10,614.56 -0.26% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.28 1.28 4.05% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 115.82 115.82 4.27% Stanbic IBTC Enhanced Short-Term Fixed Income Fund 104.13 104.13 UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 01-6317876 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Balanced Fund 1.31 1.33 2.41% United Capital Bond Fund 1.92 1.92 4.98% United Capital Equity Fund 0.88 0.90 10.46% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 9.40% United Capital Eurobond Fund 120.59 120.59 5.34% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.06 1.08 4.16% United capital Sukuk Fund 1.06 1.06 6.39% QUANTUM ZENITH ASSET MANAGEMENT & INVESTMENTS LTD service@quantumzenithasset.com.ng Web: www.quantumzenith.com.ng; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Equity Fund 12.95 13.02 8.93% Zenith Ethical Fund 14.32 14.47 17.33% Zenith Income Fund 24.41 24.41 1.75% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 6.85%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

124.98 53.37

10.62% 5.66%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

13.63

13.73

3.11%

123.62 98.19 17.27 18.19

126.69 100.33 17.37 18.29

2.81% -1.04%

Fund Name SFS REIT Union Homes REIT

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS Fund Name Lotus Halal Equity Exchange Traded Fund SIAML Pension ETF 40 Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 Fund MERGROWTH ETF MERVALUE ETF

VETIVA FUND MANAGERS LTD Web: www.vetiva.com; Tel: +234 1 453 0697 Fund Name Vetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Money Market Fund Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund

funds@vetiva.com Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

3.84 5.64 17.66 1.00 19.97 157.62

3.88 5.72 17.76 1.00 20.17 159.62

1.77% -0.89% 8.77% 7.55% -2.65% -28.32%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

107.40

13.11%

INFRASTRUCTURE FUND Fund Name Chapel Hill Denham Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund

The value of investments and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Past performance is a guide and not an indication of future returns. Fund prices published in this edition are also available on each fund manager’s website and FMAN’s website at www.fman.com.ng. Fund prices are supplied by the operator of the relevant fund and are published for information purposes only.

22

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER OCTOBER 3, 2021

BUSINESS INTERVIEW CHIJIOKE MAMA: PIA’s Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund is a Game Changer Nigeria may have created a critical foundation for the much-desired industrialisation and economic development with the recent enactment of the Petroleum Industry Act. With 206.53 trillion cubic feet of proven gas reserves, the country’s appalling poor gas utilisation rate may be a thing of the past, following the birth of the PIA, which has provided the impetus for participation in the gas sector, given the new and attractive terms embedded in it. In this interview with Kunle Aderinokun, Managing Director, Meiracopp Nigeria Limited, Dr. Chijioke Mama, believes the new provisions are supply-side enablers, capable of provoking commercial interests and investments in gas utilisation. Mama, who is one of the leading voices in Africa’s energy, infrastructure and development discourse, also speaks on the importance of the CBN N250billion gas sector intervention fund, giving a beacon of hope that, in a decade, Nigeria’s gas sector would have been optimally developed

N

igeria has launched a decade-long initiative for gas development, is there a real promise?

Evidently, there are inherent promises in Nigeria’s decade-long initiative to develop natural gas.

However, their materialization or full realisation will depend largely on a number of factors, including government’s commitment to policy implementation, which in this case, primarily refers to the National Gas Policy approved in June, 2017. Equally important, in my opinion, is the quality of commercial participation that the decade of gas initiative is able to elicit. I think the latter is more critical compared to the former, because the twin challenge of creating bankable gas utilisation projects and rallying su΀cient private capital for its implementation are arguably the most critical hurdles facing the initiative. Nevertheless, I Àrmly believe that the core objectives of the decade of gas initiative are attainable within the next ten years, if, as I said earlier on, the policy implementation mechanism; the commercial frameworks and the investment appetite are optimally aligned. The National Gas Policy makes it clear, that growing the gas sector as an industry in its own right (i.e. properly decoupled from oil) and driving gas-based industrialisation in Nigeria are its fundamental aspirations. Thus the 206.53 tcf of proven gas reserves in Nigeria could become the critical foundation for the much-desired industrialisation and economic development.

How can the initiative be positioned to elicit quality commercial participation?

The gas utilisation value chain in Nigeria is nascent and largely underdeveloped. Beyond a handful of companies, speciÀcally Nigeria LiqueÀed Natural Gas, Indorama-Eleme Petrochemical, Notore and most recently Greenville LNG & Dangote Group’s urea plant; there aren’t many other existing gas-based industries that consume greater than 70 mmscf/d, within chemical process plants. That’s a poor rate of domestic utilisation for Africa’s largest gas reserves holder. However, the Federal Government is currently providing a number of enablers, which are needed to realise the full potential of the gas sector. This includes the development of critical infrastructures and systems such as the on-going OB3 pipeline, AKK pipeline and the Nigerian Gas Transportation Network Code.

The NGTNC for instance, provides streamlined operational and Àscal terms for third-party use of gas distribution and transmission infrastructures.

The recently enacted Petroleum Industry Act further provides new and attractive terms for

projects that may cost less than $10 million, small-scale gas-to-liquid projects, natural gas liquid projects, captive power generation projects for commercial oͿ grid, LPG import terminals and other similar-sized project.

Talking of the PIA, how does this new legislation encourage gas investments?

Broadly speaking, the PIA provides more attractive terms for gas-based investments.

Firstly, there are now su΀cient incentives for upstream gas development, as the gas pricing regime has been upwardly reviewed. Pre-PIA gas pricing structure was $2.5 per mmbtu for the power sector and $1.5 per mmbtu for gasbased industries. However, the new PIA now speciÀes a base price of $3.2 for the power sector with provision for yearly reviews. Similarly, gas-based industries will purchase gas within a price band that is capped at $3.2 with a Áoor price of about $0.9. The new price regime oͿers a better incentive, for the development of NonAssociated Gas, which may in turn encourage more gas commercialisation projects. The Act goes further to enhance the existing incentives for gas companies, including exemption from the new Hydrocarbon Tax for both Associated Gas and Non-Associated Gas projects among other Àscal incentives. One of the most important provisions of the PIA for the gas sector is the establishment of the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund, which shall have the power to make equity investments into relevant gas infrastructure projects and consequently encourage private sector investment through participation and risk sharing.

Mama

participation in the Nigeria gas sector.

These are supply-side enablers, which are capable of eliciting commercial interests and investments in gas utilisation.

What is the suitability and adequacy of the CBN’s N250 billion gas sector intervention fund?

Well, you need to understand the capital requirements of projects within the gas value chain, in order to appreciate the usefulness and suitability of this facility. So, let me provide some insights in gas Ànancing and project development cost proÀles. Firstly, the N250 billion gas intervention fund is a very good initiative, because it provides comparatively more aͿordable capital for certain categories of gas projects, particularly the medium to small scale gas projects. However, because the facility is designed to accommodate multiple obligors, it cannot be suitable for large Capex projects. DiͿerent gas-

utilisation technologies have diͿering cost proÀles, including, LNG, Methanol, Power Generation, Ammonia-Urea, Compressed Natural Gas, OleÀns plants and Natural Gas Liquids. To set up a one million tonnes per annum LNG plant you need about $1.25 billion in capex, using dollar per tonne per annum (US$TPA) values of about $1,250. This covers the full cost of equipment and facilities for gas treatment, liquefaction, storage, export and marine infrastructures. Similarly to build a one million tonnes per annum Ammonia-Urea plant you will require more than $1 billion in capex, covering cost of ammonia & urea plants, as well as, utilities and facilities. For this category of projects, Ànancing will typically come from a club of lenders. Therefore, the candidate projects and candidate technologies for the N250 billion facilities include: Áare gas utilisation projects that cost $10 – 20 million, CNG production and distribution

Where should Nigeria be at the end of this decade of gas initiative?

For me, there is that desire to have an optimally developed gas sector, which takes the credit of being the force behind Nigeria’s already attained industrialisation – in retrospect of course. It will be nice to know that Nigeria’s LNG export capacity has surpassed that of Qatar at 110 MTPA. It will be nice to read that Nigeria has the highest petrochemical production capacity in the world, being the largest exporter of polypropylene, polyethylene and other oleÀns. I hope that the decade of gas will catalyse su΀cient changes that will position Nigeria as the largest urea manufacturing hub in the world. In the local utilisation front, it will be nice to see su΀cient gas distribution pipelines in gas stiÁed regions, delivering huge volumes of gas daily to industrial demand centers and commercial clusters and buoyed by a vibrant and cost eͿective virtual pipeline delivery system that enables Áexible, remote and micro-volume delivery to gas consumers in all parts of this country.

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER OCTOBER 3, 2021

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A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

03.10.2021

Ade Bantu

Liberating Through Music and Film

Nigerian-German musician, Ade Bantu is a man of many parts. He is a filmmaker, politician, activist, creative director and the brain behind the monthly live music concert ‘Afropolitan Vibes.’ He wears these hats comfortably but still calls himself an apprentice of life. Vanessa Obioha engages him on a wide range of topics; from music, and film to activism cum politics.

ASSISTANT EDITOR OLUFUNKE OLAODE/funkola2000@gmail.com

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ OCTOBER 3, 2021

55

COVER

Ade Bantu Learning from past mistakes, an impediment to future failure

Ade Bantu (middle) surrounded by his band members

Y

ou’ve probably heard of Ade Bantu as a musician, the once dreadlock guy who teamed up with his brother and a friend in the hit singles ‘Nzobu’ and ‘Fire Inna Dancehall’ from their 1999 album ‘Fufu’. He currently heads the Bantu, a 13-piece music band. Perhaps, you are an avid follower of the Afropolitan Vibes, a monthly live music concert in Lagos that features both the young and old generation of musicians At a posh restaurant in Victoria Island, Lagos where we met, the conversation flowed freely from arts to politics. Initially, his latest documentary film ‘Elder’s Corner’ with a friend and musician Siji Awoyinka was to be the agendum. But as the conversation progressed, Bantu turned out to be an engaging conversationalist with a repugnance for injustice, oppression, an equally poignant empathy for the disadvantaged. For instance, the fate of immigrants on the Mediterranean Sea, evokes an overwhelming sense of humanity in him.

“Seeing the floating bodies was really disturbing. I couldn’t sleep. I was always thinking about all these people that struggled.

You know they save up to USD20,000, trying to make it to Europe, knowing that they might get killed,” he said wistfully.

A UN migration agency, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in a report published in July estimated that at least 1,146 people lost their lives while risking the journey to European shores in the first half of 2021. The report noted that the central Mediterranean route between Libya and Italy proved to be the deadliest this year, with 741 people perishing at sea. Also, about 250 people died while travelling across the Atlantic Ocean between West Africa and Spain’s Canary Islands.

With these high numbers of deaths, it is almost incomprehensible that many still want to embark on the journey.

“It shows their desperation,” explained Bantu. “I wish they wouldn’t do it. I wish they would invest that money back here, but for somebody to be that desperate and to consider that the only option, where they are willing to risk their lives, willing to mortgage their futures, shows the state of affairs in Nigeria and Africa generally. Look at Ghana, Senegal, Eritrea, so many people are either fleeing from conflict or economic hardship. They end up in the Mediterranean.”

The sad reality is the topic on ‘Water Cemetery’, a track from his band’s 2020 album ‘Everybody Get Agenda’.

“It is the most difficult song I have ever

written because I have a lot of questions. I just can’t answer them. I start the song with ‘where’s the outrage? Who are we holding accountable?

Are we all numb because of daily survival?

Why don’t these images touch us anymore?’”

‘Everybody Get Agenda’ is laced with the multifaceted problems confronting Nigeria.

For example, in ‘Animal Carnival’, the opening track, the band sang about leadership corruption while in ‘Yeye Theory’ which featured Afrobeat musician, Seun Kuti, the theme was on colonial narratives that define Africans. In a way, the content of the album seemed prescient for shortly after it was released, the #EndSARS protest happened.

“The album sort of was a premonition to where the country was headed to,” he said.

“We were headed to a major disaster and still heading. The ship has broken into two but we are absolutely in denial. We believe the Titanic is still sailing but we already hit the iceberg.”

Born Adegoke Odukoya, Bantu started writing the album around the period of the last election which left him disillusioned. Music then became his therapy.

“I want something that in 30 years, people can refer to. If you want to measure the pulse of time, what Nigeria was like, not sugarcoated, then we can go back to this album. I also saw people displaced in Lagos. People are being criminalised and how come nobody is singing about it. How come people are not protesting? That’s what I did with my music.

We owe it to ourselves to tell our story.”

Sung in pidgin language which Bantu believes to “cut across class,” some parts were also rendered in Yoruba language.

“It’s such a beautiful tonal language.

And that’s why I have some choruses that are deliberately in Yoruba. It needs to be celebrated. I love it,” he gushed. He wished he spoke more Nigerian languages, having grown up in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Bantu who grew up with conscious music like those of the reggae legends Peter Tosh and Bob Marley, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, and more, is not afraid to speak about the ills of the society. Activism is often a lonely place but he is not complaining. His political views are equally strong. When we broached the subject of separatists’ agitations, he analysed it this way: “We live in a time where we need to go beyond nation-states. When you look at Europe as a European Union, the African Union is what I am for. I’m a Pan-Africanist.

When you hear these weird conversations where people are saying they want to start dividing Nigeria, creating borders or nation-

states, I just wonder why regression? Why are we not progressing? Do we understand the implications of creating nation-states within nations?

“I lived in a Germany that was divided, my family was affected. We couldn’t see our relatives for about 40 years because there was a wall literally dividing Germany, East and West. I do not believe in borders. I think people should move freely, roam the earth and fulfill their individual destinies.

So, when people hang on to that concept of tribe and things like that, I find it very worrisome because it is a very primitive way of approaching life.”

He still can’t wrap his head around the thought of identifying one’s ethnicity by their state of origin. As far as he is concerned, ethnicity should be defined by one’s place of birth. However, Bantu is a firm believer in the decentralisation of power. If leadership in Nigeria is to get better, it must start, according to him, at the local government level.

The way he sees it, it is easier to hold a local government councillor or chairman accountable when they fail to provide basic amenities such as potable water, good roads and electricity, or embezzle public funds.

Going by the low voter turnout at previous elections, the musician and activist fears that democracy in Africa is threatened.

“Democracy is not only at risk but you have to get people to believe in this system and actually want to partake in it. Else, I see a gloomy future for this country and democracy as a whole in Nigeria, considering the sacrifices that were made and considering where we are in 2021.”

Another way out is to prepare the younger generations.

“We are already old. I count myself as an older generation. I’m not a youth.

I’m not trying to wiggle my way into youth leadership. What I missed with the #EndSARS is the conversation between activists who have been tried and tested from the older generation and the younger generation coming together. It is when we exchange ideas and they learn from past mistakes, then we don’t have to repeat them.

Because it is a vicious cycle. When we want to progress, it’s for the right people to talk” said Bantu who turned 50 this year.

Musically, he is already doing that with Afropolitan Vibes. He made references to Falz, Burna Boy and Yemi Alade who have all been featured in the monthly concert.

Subtly, Bantu through Afropolitan Vibes is encouraging this crop of artists to embrace

live music. A good example is the Cavemen, a band of two siblings reintroducing Highlife music to younger generations. There is also the Palmwine Music Festival where younger musicians gather to play strictly live music. For the musician, live music is critical to one’s success in the music industry.

“There is no way you can tour and make good money without a live band. The money you make as a musician these days is from performing live.

People go watch Burna Boy because he has a band not because he is performing with a DJ, so if you want to gain that international recognition and want a sustainable career, you need a band. You don’t necessarily need to play an instrument but you need a live setup or else nobody is going to pay good money to watch a guy miming.”

Away from his music and politics, Bantu is also a filmmaker. His latest production ‘Elder’s Corner’ is a historical celebration of the country’s legendary musicians. The over one-hour documentary captured intimate moments with some of the highlife and juju legends.

These musicians, he said, were almost in obscurity if not that “people started reissuing their music outside Nigeria. The only Nigerian label that went out of their way for them is Jazzhole Records and then you have Premier Music. Those are the two that still kind of help us remember.”

The project took 10 years to produce because, according to Bantu, it was bigger than they anticipated. They had to resort to crowdfunding and grants. However, by the time they were ready to premiere the documentary, the pandemic struck.

The documentary which had its first international screening at the Sheffield Doc/Fest was also screened at this year’s iREP Documentary Film Festival.

“People rediscovered Nigerian music through this documentary because most people thought it was only the great Afrobeat pioneer Fela that we had. It was a good thing because we wanted to arouse that curiosity,” said Bantu.

Sadly, about 70 per cent of the musicians featured in the documentary were already gone before it was premiered. It left a mixed feeling on the producers.

“We feel honoured to have actually spent valuable time with these people and we are able to open up and tell their personal stories. It’s not all about them tooting their horns. They showed their vulnerability as well. Nigeria has dealt them a bad card. Mrs Mary, Afi Usuah for instance could have been our Aretha Franklin and then you see it across the board like in Paulson Kalu and E.C. Arinze.

Only a few people were able to sustain themselves via their music all the way to being able to age with grace to a certain degree and be financially independent.”

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ OCTOBER 3, 2021

GLITZ FEATURE

US Consulate Honours 20 Nigerian Fashion Designers The United States Consul-General, Claire Pierangelo, played the perfect host when the Public Affairs Section of the Consulate General in Lagos organised a reception in honour of 20 emerging and mid-career Nigerian fashion designers who recently participated in the US State Department’s International Visitors Leadership Programme (IVLP). Funke Olaode captures the exciting moment

Cross-section of fashion designers with US Consul General Claire Pierangelo, and guests Deputy Chief of Mission, US Embassy, Kathleen FitzGiboon, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa and Adetoun Tade

US Consul General, Claire Pierangelo, presenting certificate of participation to Abiola Adeola of Treasure Stitches

T

he atmosphere inside the expansive compound of the United States ConsulGeneral’s residence situated in the highbrow area of Ikoyi, Lagos on Tuesday, September 28, 2021, was colourful and relaxing. From the colourful display by the 20 emerging and midcareer fashion designers, who participated in the International Visitors Leadership Programme, organised by the Consulate, it was evident that the evening was not an ordinary one. It was one marked

with outstanding creativity and awards of excellence.

After intense three-week training, the participants were hosted to a beautiful reception by Pierangelo. In attendance were leading Nigerian fashion designers, creative industry leaders and investors.

Among the dignitaries were Deputy Chief of Mission, US Embassy, Kathleen FitzGiboon, Nigerian pioneer in fashion designing, Shade Thomas-Fahm, Senator Florence ItaGiwa, and billionaire businesswoman, Mrs. Folorunsho Alakija.

IVLP, a three-week programme with

PHOTOS: ABIODUN AJALA

participants drawn from different parts of Nigeria is a collaboration between Nigeria and the United States. This year’s IVLP project titled, ‘Promoting Economic Growth and Trade in the Fashion Industry’, was unique for the opportunity it availed the participants to connect with their US counterparts and enriched their knowledge of entrepreneurship, business development, and innovation in the US fashion industry.

Pierangelo, while thanking her guests for honouring the invitation,

highlighted the US government’s commitment to promoting economic growth and trade in the fashion industry, by empowering local fashion designers to not only thrive in Nigeria’s fashion industry but also to prepare for the global fashion marketplace.

According to the diplomat, this year’s programme was done virtually but the process has trained thousands of participants over the years.

“This year’s participants were awesome. I am pleased with their creativity, energy and enthusiasm. I know that they have learnt the skills that will help their business grow. I know we have amazing designers who are set to rule the fashion industry. The United States created this programme to strengthen economic growth in Nigeria, being the heartbeat of Africa. And with Nigerian artistes winning Grammy Awards, it shows that indeed the country is beating the heart of Africa even in entertainment.”

Speaking further, she said the purpose of the programme is to help connect all the creativity of Nigerian designers to their American counterparts, not only to expose them but to use the opportunity and what they have learnt during the programme to grow their business. “The feedback we got was impressive; their energy and enthusiasm was amazing and I hope they will keep the tempo going,” she added.

Praising the Consulate for giving her the opportunity of a lifetime, one of the participants, Abiola Adeola of Treasure Stitches said she got to know about the programme through the First Lady of Ekiti State, Mrs. Bisi Fayemi who nominated her. “The experience was good because we were exposed to the business side of fashion on how we can showcase and market our products to the international community. How we can attract investors. I am based in Ekiti and I am able to showcase our indigenous fabrics (aso-oke) which are woven locally in Ekiti State. Before now, aso-oke was an occasional wear that was restricted to either funerals or weddings. To keep it trendy and make it everyday wear, I mix it with ankara. The three-week training was an amazing experience because it boosted my confidence and opened my eyes to the international world.”

Corroborating Adeola, Peter Emealih of Rockdart, a Youtuber who teaches people for free and equally promotes African fabrics online said through IVLP his effort has paid off. I was recommended for the programme. I do everything fabrics but with a mixture of African prints. Basically, the training helped me want to serve humanity in the fashion industry more.

“My takeaway was that I was exposed to other people and what they were doing. This broadened my horizon and knowledge and having access to the American market is awesome. On the economy side, we went to AGOA where they helped us to know the value of what we are doing as our wears can be readily available for export which in turn will increase the GDP.” Bolupe Adebiyi, Founder of Cotton Loops who has been in the business for 15 years and has visited America several times said IVLP was a life changer as it has given her access to the international market. “The training, the strategy on how to market and leveraging on the opportunity was superb. I use locally made materials such as hemp fabrics, batik, cotton mostly organic, tie and dye and recently recycled denim for my designs.

For me, my goal is to be number one and this programme has shown me that it is possible.”

Speaking on behalf of other participants, President, lVLP Alumni Association (AA) Adetoun Tade expressed her gratitude to the American Consulate for the life-changing experience. Adetoun said IVLP is an expression of diversity: climate, fashion, creativity and so on. “For us, the expectation goes beyond three weeks of training. It means when you enjoy such benefits you must give back.

Again, the expectation is to bring African fashion to the global stage in a compelling way. And we are set to rule the fashion industry globally,” she concluded.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ OCTOBER 3, 2021

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GLITZ FOCUS

Efik Kingdom Honours Ozekhome with Chieftaincy Title Against the backdrop of his phenomenal achievements and commitment to the protection of human rights in Nigeria, the leading constitutional lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), was last week honoured with the chieftaincy title ‘Ada Idaha Ke Efik Eburukutu Kingdom’, meaning pillar of strength of Efik Kingdom, by the Obong of Calabar, His Eminence, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V. Yinka Olatunbosun pays a tribute to the flag-bearing lawyer.

T

he colourful ceremony had all the picturesque setting of a typical Efik traditional royal party and for a split second, one could forget that Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) actually hails from Edo State. Clad in the full regalia of an Efik Chief with a defining bowler hat, he swayed to the beat in that breathtaking atmosphere of festivity.

Ekombi dancers captured the audience with their energetic performance; arousing applause and picture-perfect moments at the ceremony. It came as no surprise; Ozekhome is a man worthy of celebration. As the first senior advocate to emerge from Edo, he was a stalwart member of the Gani Fawehinmi Chambers. To date, his voice is a constant reminder of the burning fire of activism in the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi.

Flashback to his younger days, activism ran through his veins with the precision of intravenous fluid. Born and raised by parents who loved education, Ozekhome attended St. Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Iviukwe, and St. Peter’s College, Agenebode, where he achieved the best graduating results in 1969 and 1974, respectively. He proceeded to Baptist Academy, Lagos, in 1975 and gained admission to the University of Ife — now Obafemi Awolowo University — Ile-Ife, to study English and subsequently lost a year in order to switch to the Faculty of Law where he graduated in 1980.

His university externship was with the fiery Peoples Lawyer, late Kanmi Isola-Osobu; while his NYSC was with the Federal Ministry of Justice, Yola, and later, Lagos, wherefrom he was seconded to the then National Provident Fund, Lagos (now known as Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund).

By 1982, Ozekhome returned to Ife to pursue his Master’s degree programme in Law. He lectured at the same faculty and today, many of his students are Judges, Justices of Appellate courts, Senior Advocates of Nigeria, top entrepreneurs, Diplomats, Captains of Industry, top military brass and Professors.

He later joined the ever-busy and promasses chambers of the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi, where he worked, first, as a junior counsel, later as a senior counsel; and finally rose to the highest position of Deputy Head of Chambers by 1985.

In 2017, Ozekhome bagged his PhD (by Thesis) from Alliance International University, Lusaka, Zambia.

Through the years, Ozekhome had developed an enviable persona as a human rights activist, pro-democracy campaigner, Bencher, Senior Advocate of the Masses (SAM), Voice of the People (VOP), Senior Advocate of Nigerian Students (SANS), Patriot, Pan-Nigerian, Pan-Africanist, Author, Researcher, Scholar, Multi-Columnist, Philosopher, Thinker, Motivational Speaker, Social Critic, Public Affairs Analyst, Pro-masses Advocate and Knight of the Order of St. Mulumba (KSM) Ozekhome has a way with words; his profound oratorical skills strike the right chord when he speaks. His deep erudition, incisive dissemination of ideas and strongly held opinions are a beauty to behold. Arguing with him is more fun than watching a reality show.

As a lawyer who certainly knows what he is doing in his chosen field, it is now becoming a delight to see many litigants choose Ozekhome as their lawyer whenever they need one. To them, he is always reliable and does not disappoint.

A strong advocate of good governance, Ozekhome is one activist that cannot be

Ozekhome

silenced as his voice is constantly heard challenging obnoxious policies of the government to the delight of the masses.

The legal icon with roots from Iviukwe town, near Agenebode in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo, was weaned on the values and traditions of nobility, character and integrity that humanity can bestow – honesty, humility, a good conscience, fear of God, hard work, selflessness, service to humanity, and courage.

With numerous epochal cases that have helped to define and shape the legal regime and Nigerian legal jurisprudence, Ozekhome was a contributor to the favourable climate that restored democracy, while fighting for good governance and the rule of law to be upheld.

In 1986, he founded the law firm- Mike Ozekhome’s Chambers, with thriving offices in Lagos, Abuja, Benin City and his hometown, Agenebode. His law firms handle many cases of human rights pro bono.

Ozekhome uses the law as an instrument of social, political and economic engineering; handling many landmark cases that help redefine Nigerian laws and jurisprudence in all the appellate courts of Nigeria.

In 2005, he was a federal government delegate to the National Political Reform Conference, (NPRC), representing civil societies. In 2009, he was a federal government delegate to the Vision 2020 Conference, to help chart a course for making Nigeria one of the twenty leading economies in the World by the year 2020. Earlier in 2001, he had chaired the federal government panel that recalled many lecturers and students who had been politically victimised during successive military dictatorships. In 2014, he was a federal government delegate to the National Conference, wherein he was nicknamed the “Cicero of the conference”, by the conference leadership, for his sterling

performance and contributions.

In 1987, Ozekhome co-founded the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), the first human rights organisation in Nigeria and was named as the pioneer Director of Legal Services and member of its Governing Board. In 1998, he cofounded the Joint Action Committee of Nigeria (JACON), with the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi, who was chairman.

Ozekhome was the National Vice Chairman, publicity and publications.

He had, earlier in 1992, solely founded the Universal Defenders of Democracy (UDD), an international human rights and pro-democracy league. He also founded the Democratic Rights Agenda (DRA) and Peace Initiative (PI), a peacebuilding and conflict resolution centre. As a result of his relentless pursuit of justice, Ozekhome was frequently detained several times during the days of military rule, starting from 1986, on account of his human rights and pro-democracy activities, especially during despotic and repressive military juntas.

In 1990, Ozekhome was glowingly acknowledged by the Lawyers Committee For Human Rights, New York, in its 1989 and 1990 Annual Reports: “In Defence of Rights: Attacks On Lawyers and Judges”, as one victim of human rights abuses, in Nigeria.

Ozekhome later founded Mike Ozekhome Foundation (MOF), a wholly philanthropic and charitable organization, committed to helping the youth, widows, the poor, vulnerable and down-trodden. A consummate author who has written many law books and numerous national discourse books, he has attracted to

himself numerous traditional and honorary chieftaincy titles such as Akpakpa Vighi Vighi of Edo Land (Generalissimo and Commander of the traditional Armed Forces of Edo land). This is a title that was jointly conferred on him at Ekpoma, Edo State, on March 2, 2002, by all the 72 traditional rulers of Edo State, a feat never before achieved by any person.

His office is like a hall of fame, parading plaques that he had received. He boasts of over 300 awards and honours, both local and international. He holds seven honorary Doctorate Degrees (honoris causa) in addition to his PhD by thesis from Lusaka, Zambia. These include Doctor of Laws (LL.D), Doctor of Letters (D.Litt), Doctor of Administration (DA), Doctor of Jurisprudence (JD), Doctor of Letters (HonDL), Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Doctor Arts (D.Arts), etc, from various universities in USA, United Kingdom, Europe, Israel, Nigeria and Belize.

He is the recipient of the awards of Herbert Macaulay Leadership, African Global Integrity, Legend and Hero of Democracy, ECOWAS, Niger Delta Excellence, “Legal Icon in Nigeria”, by Guardian Newspapers, Icon of Peace, Icon of Societal transformation, Peter Benson Human Rights awards, etc.

Dr Ozekhome is Counsel at the International Criminal Court, at The Hague, in The Netherland of 2000 Outstanding Intellectuals of the 21st Century; UN Eminent Peace Ambassador; Ambassador for Peace, Ozekhome is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitration (FCIArb), fellow, Academy of Entrepreneurial Studies (F.AES), fellow, National Institute for Education and Research (FNIER), fellow, Nigerian Institute of Management (FNIM), Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators (F.chMC), amongst others.

Ozekhome has been featured in reference materials such as “Who is Who in the World”

by IBC, Cambridge, England, 28th and 29th Editions; “Who is Who in Nigeria”,

by NIBC, Lagos; “Who is Who in Nigeria,”

by NewsWatch Publications Ltd; “Icon of Humanitarian Service Award”, “Award of Peace and Leadership”, “Achievement in Football Award”, “Kwame Nkrumah Honour” as “Icon of Nation Building and Human Emancipation in Nigerian”, etc.

The generalissimo has over the years spoken truth to authority, challenged dictatorial anti-people decisions of any government in power and insisted that the primary purpose of government which is security and welfare of the people cannot be compromised on the altar of fear, intimidation, sentiments and sheer emotion. An anticorruption Czar who first propounded the theory that corruption is the 37th State of Nigeria, Ozekhome has been outspoken on impunity, freedoms and liberties of the citizens. His crusades go beyond answering the questions; he questions the answers. In discussing national issues with uncommon passion, Ozekhome leaves no stone unturned.

He is a symbol of total embodiment and commitment to excellence in the act of public administration and management. He has continued to inspire and energize present and future generations by epitomizing outstanding management excellence, efficiency, transparency, prudence and selfless services in different capacities where he has served meritoriously.

Married to a lawyer and gender crusader, Lady Josephine Mike Ozekhome, LL.M, with seven children, Ozekhome, a teetotaler loves sports, music, reading, writing, debates, philanthropy, travelling and nurturing pets and plants.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ OCTOBER 3, 2021

GLITZ ENTERTAINMENT

And the BBNaija Season 6 Winner Is… Stories by Vanessa Obioha WhiteMoney? Liquorose? Cross? Pere? Angel or Emmanuel?

One of these housemates will be crowned winner of the sixth season of Big Brother Naija this evening. The show which kicked off on July 24 will be wrapping off the season tonight. 22 housemates initially entered the house but four new housemates joined them during the game.

Unlike the past two editions, this season recorded no disqualification. However, Kayvee, one of the new housemates, took an exit following his mental health challenge.

The season had its share of drama, relationships, twists and turns such as the wildcards, the love drama between Nini and Saga, Boma and Angel’s squabble over gossip, among others.

Now that the show will be drawing its curtains on the season, fans are eager to see if their favourite housemate will emerge as the winner.

The top names on fans’ lips are WhiteMoney, Pere and Liquorose.

A popular dancer, Liquorose seems to have an army behind her. But WhiteMoney’s fans are not staying idle either. They are throwing their weight behind the housemate.

Pere, who many thought would not make it this far in the season has proven to be a strong contender. Perceived as arrogant and authoritative during his Head of House rule in the house, not many expected the housemate — who was also a wildcard — to survive the evictions. It will be interesting to see how he fares in the grand finale.

The winner of this season walks away with a N90 million grand prize and the coveted title of the Shine Ya Eye season winner.

With Oshe Naija Campaign, Apple Music Celebrates Nigeria’s Independence

Music creatives featured on Apple Music Oshe Naija

On October 1, Nigeria’s Independence Day, Apple Music unveiled a new campaign ‘Oshe Naija’ to celebrate the country’s rich musical history. Oshe Naija, a Yoruba phrase that means ‘thank you Naija’. The month-long campaign will pay tribute to Nigerian artists and creatives whose impacts are seen and felt globally.

There will be 16 playlists curated exclusively by top producers like KDDO (Kiddominant), Legendury Beatz, Kel-P, Spinall, Rexxie, London, Shizzi, Sarz, P.Priime, Tempoe, E Kelly, Speroachbeatzz, Killertunes, Pheelz, Spax and Young John.

These producers are behind some of Nigeria’s greatest hits. For instance, KDDO produced Davido’s US Gold-certified ‘Fall’, Legendury Beatz is behind Wizkid’s ‘Essence’ fame, and Kel-P puts the magic on Burna Boy’s ‘On The Low’ from his Grammy-nominated album ‘African Giant’.

“Reminiscing from the 2000s, the sounds, the styles, the variation of artists and most importantly

the widespread use of our songs have been growing exponentially the best way possible and we are just getting started. Coming from where Afrobeats originated and where we have all taken it so far, to me that’s levels,” enthused Kel-P. Oshe Naija will also house Artist Essentials, Top Albums, Essential Albums, Naija Video Hits, Naija Risers, and Africa Now Radio hosted by LootLove on Apple Music 1. There will be a genre spotlight on Afrobeats, Alte, Street Music, Hip Hop, Afro-fusion and Gospel, as well as a focus on indie labels like DMW, Mavin Records, Starboy, Chocolate City, YBNL Nation and LoveWorld Records.

Apple Music has also released the top Nigerian artists and songs on the platform since its launch over six years ago. Data showed that Burna Boy, Wizkid, Davido and Olamide are among the most streamed artists in the country while all-time most shazamed Nigerian songs include ‘Infinity’ by Olamide featuring Omah Lay and ‘In My Maserati’ by Olakira.

Turn Up Friday, Owambe Saturday Among New Lineup on Africa Magic The party shows Turn Up Friday and Owambe Saturday that kept viewers entertained during the lockdown period last year will be returning to the screen this October.

MultiChoice Nigeria made the announcement recently. The shows are part of the lineup for the last quarter of the year.

Turn Up Friday, a club-like event hosted by On-Air Personality Do2dtun gained prominence during the lockdown period for the unique way it re-enacted the club scene. Viewers were entertained by the playlist of disc jockeys featured in the programme.

Also, the over one-hour show puts the spotlight on rising DJs who engage in a battle of some sort. Viewers were also encouraged to share videos of themselves dancing which are

displayed on the show.

Likewise, Owambe Saturday was reminiscent of the social parties that attract the best of live music. Therefore, Steve Onu, the pioneer host, always had a live band dishing out songs suited for weddings and other social events. Veteran musicians like Shina Peters were also invited to perform with the band. For the new season, veteran comedian Tee-A will play the host.

To many during the lockdown season, these two shows made the pandemic bearable. Therefore, calls to have it back on screen continue to grow louder. Viewers can now watch the shows when they return on Friday, October 29 and Saturday, October 30 on Africa Magic Family.

Also returning to the screen is a

spinoff to the ‘Mercy & Ike’ show, ‘Mercy, What Next?’, which starts Sunday, October 10 on Africa Magic Showcase, as well as a new season of Music Buzz, which starts Wednesday, October 6 on Africa Magic Urban.

New drama series heading to the platform include ‘Dilemma’ and ‘Venge’, which will premiere on Monday, October 4 on Africa Magic Showcase from 8 pm, while ‘The Rishantes’ and ‘Movement (Japa)’, will start airing in November.

“These new drama series present fresh storylines, suspense-filled plots, and parades a mix of established and up-and-coming names in Nollywood that will have viewers from across Africa immersed in another top-notch Africa Magic production. On the

L-R: Executive Producer, Venge, Tosin Igho; Channel Head, Africa Magic Showcase, Urban & Epic, Atinuke Babatunde; Executive Head, Content and West Africa Channels, MultiChoice, Busola Tejumola; Executive Producer, Dilemma, Uche Ikejimba; Head of Content, West Africa, Mike-Steve Adeleye at the exclusive launch of Africa Magic’s new shows on Thursday, September 30, 2021.

other hand, fans will get to enjoy some of their beloved Africa Magic magazine and reality shows as they make a return for a more exciting season,” said Executive Head, Content and West Africa Channels, MultiChoice Nigeria, Busola Tejumola.

SUNDAY OCTOBER 3, 2021 • T H I S D AY

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HighLife

with KAYODE ALFRED 08116759807, E-mail: kayflex2@yahoo.com

...Amazing lifestyles of Nigeria’s rich and famous

Sholaye Jeremi: Role Titans Dine in Paris: As Macron Model Par Excellence Woos Adenuga, Dangote, Rabiu, Others A man of words and not of deeds is like a garden full of weeds. That is how the nursery rhyme goes.

What about a man of deeds and not of words? There are so few odes and verses that celebrate men like Sholaye Jeremi, a business magnate with nearly inexhaustible ventures, interests and calculations. An inferior man of suits and successes would blow his own trumpet and tweak the pockets of loudmouths to sing his praises. Not Jeremi. He prefers to keep mum and inadvertently has become a role model for many young people in Nigeria.

Quite a number of businesspeople have emerged from the culturally diverse nation that is Nigeria. Some of these have built enterprises that span continents. However, only a handful at most can boast of matching the oil and gas magnate, Jeremi, in terms of discreteness and consequent excellence and admiration from the average Nigerian youth.

In a country where success often predetermines a career in motivational speaking, having uber-successful folks that practice discretion is a blessing of many lifetimes. This is one of the reasons Jeremi is popular among young Nigerians, especially aspiring entrepreneurs. So popular has Jeremi become that he is identified as one of the most influential role models for youths of diverse demographic, cultural, socio-economic or even entrepreneurial extractions. But that is natural for a go-getter with considerable stakes and shares in telecommunication, construction and logistics, aside from the oil and gas sector.

You are not likely to hear from Jeremi that he had a meeting with top African leaders, or that he commandeered a respectable fraction of the major oil and gas dealings in the Niger Delta region.

That Jeremi is a mover and shaker in the flourishing sector and a widely admired associate of corporate giants like Aliko Dangote, Femi Otedola, Dr Mike Adenuga and many others is something that leaks out from time to time—but not from the main actor. No doubt, his business disposition and personal temperament are admirable endear him to youths.

Businessmen are prophets of enterprise.

They are the illustrious popes of commerce, robed and mitred in the resonance of their exploits.

More often than not, they rise through the fog and the fire of enterprise to tower in dominion astride chains of businesses and industry.

Consider the Nigerian magnate, for instance; he starts out as a champion of trade, constantly battling the odds to protect the franchise he creates.

In time, he becomes a god of the franchises he creates and guardian of the world that his business empire inhabits. A cursory look at the exploits of billionaire magnates, Dr. Mike Adenuga, Abdulsamad Rabiu, Aliko Dangote, Herbert Wigwe and Chagoury would reveal how they rose through the gruelling beginnings fraught by challenges, to attain the glorious height they currently inhabit.

Evidently, they have grown through those trying years to become deities and authorities in their respective fields. Little wonder, they influence economies, politics and drive industrial cities to unparalleled heights of growth.

Knowing this, the French President, Emmanuel Macron, has set out to woo these Nigerian billionaires.

Having spent a formative period building commercial bridges between his country and Nigeria, President Macron has invited Adenuga, Dangote and co to France, hosting them to a sumptuous dinner last Thursday night in Paris. It is part of his push for the French corporate sector to seek opportunities beyond their comfort zone

by partnering with Nigeria’s most accomplished billionaire magnates.

Macron’s recent initiative comes at the heel of the Choose France summit of global business leaders which was held in Versailles on June 28 and was graced by the Nigerian business leaders including Adenuga and Rabiu. Afterwards, Macron, realising the true worth and brilliance of the Nigerian entrepreneurs, especially Dr Mike Adenuga, pushed for a special Nigerian event, to bring together leading Nigerian and French industrialists.

Nigeria is the only country receiving such treatment at Choose France: a sign of how important France’s economic diplomacy in Nigeria is to the French President. Expectedly, the basement and eaves of French industry and high society rattled in homage to the assemblage of business titans. Never in the history of Versailles had the city being ornamented by the presence of colossi, many of whom made their names by fostering seeds of enterprise and carnations on desolate terrain.

But while the French President woos and dines with Nigerian business leaders, back home in Nigeria, they do not enjoy the same attention from their own President, Muhammadu Buhari.

Hardly anyone recalls the last time President Buhari went out of his way to court and engage productively with the country’s most illustrious industrialists.

At the backdrop of President Macron’s ardent courtship of these business-leading lights from Nigeria, speculations abound that President Macron is eager to see them go about their

Adenuga

businesses uninhibited, in France. He is eager to have them grace his homeland with their dexterous bids throbbing quietly through the pulse of his country while their exploits and attainments resonate marvellously, in a grand, concrete industrial edifice for France.

Interestingly, however, back in 2017, the French government, in homage to Adenuga’s humanity and relentless strides at rewriting the African business narrative, invested him with a Knight of the Legion of Honour (Chevalier de la Legion d Honneur), the highest French decoration and one of the most famous in the world. Dr. Adenuga is the only and first-ever Nigerian to have received the award since inception. He was honoured for his “remarkable contribution to the development of the French-Nigerian relations and appreciation of the French culture.”

Is Macron simply driven by ambition and an overarching bid to improve the fortunes of his nation? Only time will tell.

To Whom Honour is Due: Tokunbo Wahab Wins Excellence Recognition Award

Wahab

These are the best days for Tokunbo Wahab, the Special Adviser on Education to the Lagos State Governor, Babajide SanwoOlu. A few days ago at the 17th edition of the Excellence Recognition Awards in Lagos, the management of Global Excellence magazine recognised Wahab as the Lagos State Government Official of the Year. The award did not only come with the identification of Wahab for his past exploits in the Lagos education sector; it was also accompanied by sincere gratitude for his momentum and can-do-more attitude.

Arguably, in the last few years, Lagos State has been the cynosure of nationwide attention due to the wave of revolution within the sector of formal education that is now sweeping across the state. Thanks to the efforts of Wahab, and with the approval of Governor Sanwo-Olu, formal education is all the rage among the young and old. By every assessment and evaluation, Wahab deserves some accolades and this is what the Excellence Recognition Award represents.

If there is one project that bears the prints of

Wahab more than anything else, it would be the Eko Digital Initiative; an initiative designed to bridge the gap between willing Lagosians and formal education by increasing access to modern/technological resources that would foster learning at primary, secondary and tertiary levels.

Thanks to this initiative, the libraries of many major public secondary schools have seen significant renovation and digital makeover.

What about the ongoing Lagos State University (LASU) hostel project in Epe and the efforts to upgrade the Lagos State College of Nursing (LASCON) facilities?

There’s also the ongoing construction of administrative buildings at Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH), Isolo; LASU/ eConnel Business School in Victoria Island; 8,700-bed space for students of LASU and the upgrading of LASPOTECH, to name a few. These are all indications of Wahab’s visionary and passionate endeavours.

The 49-year-old Wahab is not resting but continues to boost morale with vision, diligence and excellence.

Champion Extraordinaire: How Ernest Azudialu-Obiejesi Became One of Nigeria’s Biggest Philanthropists

Jeremi

It was the British poet and essayist Leigh Hunt that said, “‘I pray thee then, write me as one that loves his fellow-men.” He understood that history books always have something to say about one’s relationship with others, regardless of the heights one can reach in life. For Ernest Azudialu-Obiejesi, Chairman of Nesoil and CEO/Group MD of Obijackson Group, this will not be an arduous enterprise considering his thoughtfulness and many philanthropic gestures over time.

Some folks are solely known for their boundless wealth and others for their boundless business sense and genius. Azudialu-Obiejesi is one of the few well-known Nigerians who have reached some degree of balance in wealth and business sense. Even so, the man is far more notable as a thoughtful and deliberate philanthropist than a business magnate.

The 61-year-old Azudialu-Obiejesi is likely the most distinguished humanitarian in the country with the provision of quality health care facilities and services as his core mission. His private charitable trust, Obijackson Foundation,

is prominent for its running delivery of quality and well-equipped health care that does not cost as much as many public primary health facilities.

This is besides the organisation’s continued efforts to improve the socio-economic wellbeing of Eastern Nigeria via the provision of increased access to good quality education, empowerment, skills acquisition, and infrastructural development.

As Azudialu-Obiejesi himself explained, his Obijackson Women and Children Hospital has recorded zero mortality since it began operations a few years ago. It has helped to deliver over 300 women from the immediate Okija environs and beyond of their babies. But what do you expect of a facility with a world-class neonatal intensive care unit, ambulatory care facilities, oxygen plant services, ultra-modern diagnostic equipment, ventilatory support for pre-terms and newborns and a blood bank?

Azudialu-Obiejesi continues to dazzle Nigerians with increasingly laudable philanthropic gestures, especially for women and child health care. He is neither driven by the

Azudialu-Obiejesi

need for acclaim or a repentant conscience. That purity of purpose always yields the best kinds of philanthropists. Azudialu-Obiejesi clearly belongs to that class.

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HIGHLIFE

Kwara Governor and Saraki Renew Political Battles

Saraki

It is no secret that Kwara State governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, and former Senate President, Bukola Saraki are not the best of friends. Despite sharing similar religious sentiments, gubernatorial identities and an inflexible aversion to all kinds of political scheming, AbdulRazaq and Saraki do not blush

when they say unsavoury things about each other. However, as AbdulRazaq is the incumbent governor of the state and therefore has better constitutional biceps, Saraki almost always appears to get the shorter end of the stick and comes out figuratively bruised and battered.

There are reports that AbdulRazaq and Saraki have renewed their political battles. The first indication of this return to the boxing ring was the demolition of the Sola A. Saraki Library Complex in Kwara State, a public property named after the 2nd Republic Senate Leader and father of Senators Bukola and Gbemisola, Dr Olusola Saraki. The move has been interpreted by many, including the Saraki siblings, as AbdulRazaq’s attempt to trounce their dignity and prestige.

According to Senator Gbemisola, “the Governor of Kwara State’s focus is not on building up Kwara, but on demolishing buildings which were owned or named after my

late father the Waziri of Ilorin.”

If the younger Saraki construes AbdulRazaq’s move as antagonistic, what is the hope that the older Saraki (who is a longrunning political opponent of the governor) does not think the same?

Interestingly, the camp of AbdulRazaq stated that the demolition had nothing to do with the rivalry between Senator Bukola and AbdulRazaq. According to them, it is only the prelude to a renovative process after which the structure will retain its name. However, this narrative is difficult to swing considering that the Saraki ancestral Ilorin home was also demolished in 2020 and the Abubakar Bukola Saraki (ABS) football club was allegedly thrown out from the stadium complex in Ilorin. From all indications, it seems as if AbdulRazaq is after the Sarakis. Thus, AbdulRazaq and Senator Saraki return to the boxing ring again.

A Night of Honour: As Tourism Association Celebrates Olusegun Runsewe As tough as times are, you can trust Nigerians to still take time out to celebrate the ‘gold in the valley of yellow dust’ among us.

This was the case a few days ago when the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) honoured Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, the Director-General of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), with its Nigerian Tourism and Culture Brand Icon award. One of the best things about the ceremony was that it was the first time such an award would be conferred on anybody and Runsewe will forever be remembered as the first award winner.

Special Nigerian agencies like NCAC are remarkable. They do not only focus on specific aspects of the country’s demographics and economy but also make significant contributions to sister agencies. Since Runsewe took over the high chair in NCAC, the contributions of the agency have grown in leaps and bounds.

It is not only more fashionable to be Nigerian

these days, but it is also beneficial. All thanks to the visionary adjustments and improvements that Runsewe has instituted at NCAC. It is no wonder, therefore, that FTAN would nominate and celebrate Runsewe in his capacity as a true tourism and culture icon.

Among the dignitaries at the ceremony were Dr Rafiu Ladipo, the global PresidentGeneral of the Nigerian Football Supporters Club. Ladipo better understood the good works of Runsewe and therefore sang his praises. He also described, in detail, Runsewe’s contributions during the World Cup in South Africa and Russia, noting his visionary gestures which saw the building of the Nigerian Tourism Villages. Knowing the man’s good works, all the dignitaries and guests at the event also understood that Runsewe had only begun to make his moves.

Although Runsewe became NCAC DG in 2017, one can argue that he has always had a hand or a leg in all things tourism and culture

Adesola

Bola Adesola: Right Peg in Right Hole

Runsewe

in Nigeria. If there are five individuals with sincere interests in the promotion of the country’s native cultures and places, Runsewe will place in the top three.

Consequently, the FTAN award is only the first of many to come, just as Runsewe’s many contributions thus far are only the tip of the iceberg.

2023: Which Way, Mimiko, Jegede, Ajayi?

Mimiko

No doubt, 2023 is around the corner, so folks are making preparations to win advantageous positions for themselves. Ondo State is a potential battleground for contests of this nature with the former governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, a former guber candidate, Mr. Eyitayo Jegede, and former deputy governor and past guber candidate, Chief Agboola Ajayi. These three have their merits and relative disadvantages as well as some sort of relationship with the incumbent governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu. Each of them also has bright prospects for both the gubernatorial and

the senatorial.

Dr Mimiko is the more notable figure among the three. Since his regime, he has kept abreast of the political situation in Ondo. He not only commandeers the resources and rights of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), one of the top political parties in Ondo but also exists as a godfather to many of the past and incumbent government officials in the state. Although he lost the senatorial contest in 2019, the word on the street is that he stands a better chance now, especially if he reconsiders his party membership, given the popularity of the All Progressives Congress (APC) or the trendy antagonism of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).Jegede is not as deeply ingrained in the political quicksand as Mimiko but he has thrown down the gauntlet for the gubernatorial position against Akeredolu.

Twice he threw it down and twice he had to pick it up. However, as the chief PDP member in Ondo, chances are that 2023 will grant him better opportunities to, again, vie for Akeredolu’s mantle or shift his attention to the senatorial. But Jegede is a

persistent individual and will likely contest for the guber.

Reading the palms of Chief Ajayi could bring a calamity considering the complexity of his political career. As the immediate past deputy governor of Ondo, he might have held advantages over his peers and opponents for the 2023 guber contest. Except that his relationship with Akeredolu is not enviable, as it ended on a ghastly note. Moreover, he jumped ship and left the APC for the PDP and then the PDP for the ZLP. His opponents, therefore, are not only the champions of these political parties but also the common people who might construe his migratory tendencies as indications of extreme self-interest and self-regard.

By every indication at the moment, Jegede and Ajayi are the top candidates for Akeredolu’s mantle at the moment. Thus, people are only waiting for Mimiko to declare his intentions, Jegede to redefine his ambitions and Ajayi to decide on his machinations, among other things.

Slow Your Roll: What’s the Fuss About BUA Boss Samad Rabiu’s Rolls Royce Gift to Emir of Kano?

Wonders should never end in Nigeria. With the happenings all around the country that are likely to force one to sleep with an eye open, gestures of appreciation and solidarity are even more welcome and celebrated.

However, it depends on the individuals involved. Consider, for example, the recent gift of a Rolls Royce that landed in the Palace of the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero. The gift allegedly came from the president of BUA Group, AbdulSamad Rabiu and cost about N200 million. In a turn of events, some Nigerians looked down on the gift, finding something suspicious to frown at to the point of disregarding common sense.

Based on the reports, it was alleged that Rabiu also donated N100 million to the Emir, making it a grand gift of N300 million.

This did not augur well with many as they think that Rabiu should not have given such a massive gift considering that Kano is one

of the nests for almajiris in the country, not to mention its high rate of poverty. These people could not see why Rabiu’s largesse should extend to an individual that is already very wealthy and likely to get even wealthier when his subjects are not as welloff.

However, to anybody who knows Rabiu, N300 or N500 million is not that big a deal.

The man is one of the wealthiest individuals on the African continent. Moreover, the past year has been especially favourable for him with the France-Nigeria business alliance and his being at the front seat of that partnership.

More importantly, Rabiu is as prone to philanthropic gestures as few other individuals.

It is difficult to forget his contribution of billions during the COVID-19 debacle, contributions that far outpaced the joint donations of his peers.

He is neither selfish nor driven by an extreme sense of self-interest. Moreover, it is his money.

He can choose to give whoever he deems fit.

Rabiu

These are the best of times for professional and corporate women in Nigeria. It would seem as if the veils that once obscured their abilities and accomplishments have been torn from top to bottom. Now, these women can rise above the clouds and take their place in the starry sky. Notable accountant and corporate leader, HarrietAnn Omobolanle Adesola, is the latest star to rise to these heights and it is evident that there is no one better suited to her new position.

Ecobank Nigeria recently announced the appointment of three non-executive directors to bring a new phase of growth and development to the bank.

Aside from Adesola, the others are Mrs Titilayo Olujobi and Mrs Bimbola Wright. The appointment of the women has been celebrated by the Nigerian female demographic as true and unbiased evidence of the country’s march of progress. This is more so in the case of Adesola who will be taking over the position of Board Chairman due to the retirement of John Aboh.

Adesola is an unquestionably perfect fit for the Ecobank position. In her nearly three decades of hard and intelligent work in the Nigerian banking sector, Adesola has grown from being a small-time accountant to a force of nature in matters of quality corporate leadership and inclusive development. Her grasp of detail and visionary insistence on precision and excellence has always distinguished her as the perfect boss for a budding or established corporate organisation.

By every indication, bits and pieces from the early years of legal practice come across in Adesola’s career profile. The Standard Chartered Bank Group had enjoyed her incredible insights and diligence over the years, especially between 2010 and 2019 where she made significant contributions to the growth of the organisation and reached the peak as Senior Vice Chairman.

Evidently, Ecobank is the next phase of Adesola’s journey and she is the organisation’s next pillar of success. Judging from her records, the coming years will witness Ecobank growing at a brisk pace, leaving behind its peers and past milestones.

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LOUD WHISPERS

with JOSEPH EDGAR (09095325791)

Udom Emmanuel: Who’s Your Successor?

If you have never had fun on a plane in this country, it is because you have not boarded Ibom Air before. The plane is fine, the stewardesses are sweet and the flight scheduling is ‘un-Nigerian’. So, as we descend into Uyo, the land of Afang, my mouth starts salivating as I look forward to the well-made Afang at the lush Monty Suites.

I called ahead and said, ‘mbok, let’s have the Afang and boiled plantain’ and they said, ‘ Mr. Edgar, Prince had already informed us we have enough Afang to last you for the three days you are staying’. I say well-done.= Akwa Ibom you will agree, is beginning to look like an oasis in this ‘katakata’ we call Nigeria.

Governor Emmanuel, I must say, has done creditably well. The place is working, come and see the 21-storey smart building officially opened by the Vice President, the myriad

of infrastructural projects nearing completion and completed and as you move around you see a sense of fulfilment on the faces of the people and you beam with pride at your homeland.

Now here is the problem, it is Governor Emmanuel’s second term and constitutionally he has to hand over to someone else. The thing here is the real challenge of continuity. This is the usual problem with things like these in Nigeria.

So many ‘heads’ have come up. From the private sector, the public sector and even within the cabinet and some native doctors. This is the single most important decision that is facing our people today.

How do we choose someone with the mercurial aptitude to understand the level of development and trajectory the state is on? It is not only to come

and mouth the usual rhetoric and when power is achieved we begin to see the kinds of magic we are seeing in our neighbouring state that has gone into an epileptic coma since my brother Duke left.

If you ask me, I would say let’s look towards a candidate with private sector and entrepreneurial experience. Someone with influential international reach but with enough girth to understand the frictions on the ground and the ability to hold down all the contending power blocks while harnessing all these into a concise bulwark to move the state along the pathway Emmanuel has set.

I already have someone in mind, but will keep it to my chest. My first task is to go and register in my local government, pick a voter’s card and get ready to contribute my own little quota.

Akwa Ibom Isongo.

SEYI MAKINDE: A PAINFUL SNUB That is how I was watching the live broadcast of the Akwa Ibom at 34 on TV from my luxurious apartment at Monty Suites in Uyo. You will be saying that I am hailing this Monty Suite too much.

Mbok, the place is a sweet boutique hotel in Uyo that just gets not only me but the ever-demanding market that is the South-south state.

Don’t let me talk too much about it before you now will come and say the complimentary Afang they gave me is making me sing like our brother who they have said, will sing once you drop food on the table.

Anyways, I watched as Seyi Makinde the handsome Governor of Oyo State, speak about his experience in Akwa Ibom as a young man. He spoke well, but I can swear he didn’t tell us all about his experience for two reasons.

One madam was watching we do not need a gubernatorial smashed head and secondly it was in Church and the highly revered Reverend Sunday Mbang was seated just behind him. That one for knock am. Kai. Anyways, that is how as I landed at the airport to board my powerful Ibom Air flight – me that I can fear to fly. Some of the airplanes in this our Nigeria, when they take off the sound you will be hearing will be making you fear for your life, but these ones, na real peace of mind.

That is how I was waiting to be sprayed

with their anti-covid spray when I saw the usual people with tight suit and black glasses running towards me. I looked further and it was Governor Makinde coming towards me.

I position myself. I say make I greet my all-time favourite Governor. The things he has been doing, his position on national issues makes him my man.

So, I stand there, well-positioned. I check myself; I complete- well groomed dreadlocks, powerful satanic t-shirt, nice tattoos – all showing including the last one, one British prostitute did for me, shorts and my very expensive anklet making me look quite delicious and presidential.

Na so this bobo, just waka pass me o.

He didn’t just do that. Makindeeeeee!!!!, Makindeeeee!!!!. He walked past the Duke of Shomolu the way you walk pass a neighbour as you commot for ashawo house. I look at his agbada and all the black suits running around him as I ask one fat man carrying luggage- did this man just walk pass international figure?

Me, that even the Vice President greets me and Sanwo-Olu greets too? Me that I hug Femi Gbajabiamila, Speaker of the House of Representatives and Bobo Makinde just waka pass me. I call Duchess immediately and she start to beg me, cos she know what I can do. Me that will soon write to the United Nations Secretary General to ask for a referendum on Makinde’s village before we annex

am.

Me that I can ask Supreme Court to determine if Makinde is a Nigerian and not from bellicose and as a result end the governorship that is causing all these shakara.

I just pity am and leave am. He no fine like that sef, he get two pimples and he no ‘yellow’. To deal with him, I refuse to go and sit down in the VIP section and went to stay with normal people so he go pain am. Imagine.

CLASSIC FM: DOCTOR HEAL THYSELF I had sent a message to my egbon Chris Obosi on this matter and the man just read and no reply. Well, I have brought it to the court of public opinion before this Doctor come and kill me.

That is how they have this Radio programme that is hosted by my brother, Chico that deals with men’s sexual health.

That this is such a sensitive and private matter has not stopped this station in foisting on us this doctor who every time will be making person fear.

That is how the man will be shouting on air that, ‘if you cannot last 15 minutes per round, you may have erectile dysfunction, come to my clinic’. As I was trying to comprehend that one he dropped another clinger’ ‘ to really avoid prostrate issues “nack” 21 times a month’. I shout.

I went to try myself and came out six minutes. I say na lie. I try again, four minutes. I die. I start to call my people

Makinde

Obosi

Obi

Emmanuel

and create a survey and most people who took the survey came out with an average of six minutes. Although one person from Kaduna call say him don do 25 minutes.

I say, ‘common go and siddon, that is aided. You go don go take burantashi’.

Then my brother working with Lagos State call in to report 35 minutes. I say if you don’t shut up I will slap you now.

Can your Governor do two minutes that you are coming to tell me 35?

Anyways, seriously I called all the doctors I knew and they all came out with the same conclusion that the Radio Doctors claims are bogus and spurious.

Alarmist and sensational were some of the words used.

What I have been reliably told by very responsible medical practitioners is that the average stay time for a full healthy man across age and other physiological and psychological barriers is between 33 seconds and 44 minutes and that the average mean is five minutes 36 seconds.

That there are so many factors that come into play from age, underlying illness, emotions, mood, partners’ skills, all sorts. So, a general statement like this is misleading and very dangerous.

I relax. So, my six minutes no mean anything.

My take is that that Radio programme is dangerous and should be CANCELLED. Men’s sexual health is a very sensitive

Ngige

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ OCTOBER 3, 2021

LOUD WHISPERS and delicate issue and should not be discussed across the airwaves on such a huge retail platform and not least by a doctor who just throws out information like a drug seller in a molue without any reasonable caution.

We have to strike a balance between mercantilist tendencies and public safety.

I don talk my own, not listening to the programme again before I go and kill myself.

Who in Lagos with all the traffic and wahala will now have the time and energy to ‘nack’ 21 times in a month?

Doctor na wa for you.

INVICTUS OBI: AN INSULTING RANT I have just read a piece. An interview granted by this convicted Nigerian saying that it is insulting comparing him to his brother Hushpuppi. I clear my eyes ask myself what am I reading? The man said that he is not on the same level as Hushpuppi as he has given back to his community and that who has Hushpuppi helped?

My people, I didn’t finish reading the interview and have decided not to even comment before they turn my head into football because that is where we have now found ourselves in this countrycrazy uninhibited violence.

I don’t even know why I am writing about this issue or even this person. All I will say is that in whatever we do or where we find ourselves let’s always remember that history is the best judge and history has no head that will be cut off, it will pass judgment as clinically as expected.

See who dey talk. Na wa.

CHRIS NGIGE: RUMBLE IN THE PARTY If you have not seen the video please go and look for it. Dr Ngige was seemingly attacked. These people are not joking in that their Anambra o. Please crave me the indulgence to laugh, the thing funny well o.

So as Dr Ngige grabbed the microphone, he shouted the usual hailings in Igbo and started talking, all of a sudden one bulky man stood up walked up to him and shouted him down. Ngige stopped and first with the confidence of a Federal Minister he attempted to talk the man down, after-all he had two mopol with real guns with him and ready to annihilate any nuisance.

But this man no gree o. He continued and before you realise it the whole hall had went into a flame of violence. I start to look for my minister, I know see am again o. The sea of blows had taken him under. Then I saw his Mopol holding gun one hand and dragging minister trouser and trying to pull him to safety.

Minister cover him head as the blows were flying everywhere. It was a rumble; we could not even decipher who was for minister or not. It wasn’t funny o, by the end of the day everything scatter.

This Anambra election will not be easy o. Chief Ngige I hope madam was able to use hot water and aboniki balm to rub you down. If not come let me take you to Olive spa in Lekki for them to give you a good massage, those girls with their fingers can kill o. I will pay as my own small contribution to National development. No worries.

RENO OMOKIRI: GUTTER TALES If there is anything I know how to do is to pick my fights. Why for the life of me will you wake up and go and look for Reno trouble. The man has shown that he is an expert in verbal warfare. The man’s mouth is worse than that of a prostitute who has just delivered services and has not been paid. That is how he will be firing per second, per second. Volleys that can maim and make you Eunuch.

That is how my brother Joe Igbokwe who APC had no other way of showing appreciation for years of servitude made him Special Adviser for drainages. In other words, the man in charge of the gutter now went and be asking Reno who he is.

That one did not waste time o. He fired back with pictures of him and Theresa May and Boris Johnson and now dared Joe to also show who he is, failing which

Omokiri

he should go and sit down inside his gutter that remained blocked.

My people, this Reno is a wicked man o – another tongue in cheek comment for those of you out there who do not understand o.

Igbokwe even if they send you this kind thing, you cannot use style and dodge and tell them that you don’t have data.

You sef carry yourself go and yab Reno, now he has finished you, how will you respond? Kai. CHIKE AKUNYILI: BLOOD ON THE STREETS Why, why, why, why is all I can say at this point. If there was anything as senseless as this, I will package it and throw it into the deep ocean. This gentleman was peaceful, quietly still mourning his beloved wife. Did he deserve this, such a gruesome murder?

Joshua

Such violence.

As he laid there on the floor with his head blasted out, he writhed in pure wicked pain as the denizens sped off and the vultures could do nothing but take pictures and videos for the whorish social media attention we weep as a nation.

Nigeria is a cauldron of blood feasted

by Dracula’s children with the saints whimsy and helpless as the orgy of bloodletting continues almost unabetted.

It is now a case of who is next. Nobody is safe. It is now a Hobbesian situation – life in Nigeria is short, brutish and laborious.

We are all sitting ducks waiting for whose turn it is next.

In tears I write.

DUKE OF SHOMOLU: NO SEX PLEASE Please, let me just write this one abeg.

Don’t vex. By now you will know that

SUNDAY IDODO: A POWERFUL RENAISSANCE Professor Idodo is the General Manager of the National Theatre and twice in 30 days, I have met with him and other creative stakeholders to discuss his vision and plans for the National Theatre. His clarity and sense of purpose I must say is quite impressive.

Each time he makes his presentation, you see a man

Idodo

passionate about his calling and you can feel the abiding rush to reinvigorate the sector making it a powerful pillar as we continue the search for nationhood.

Well-done sir, I just said I should commend you and your wonderful team and to further pledge our support.

God bless.

I was in Uyo looking for money for my new play, Ufok Ibaan, which is a depiction of the 1929 Aba Women’s riot which started in the beautiful and scenic town of Ikot Abasi in my home state of Akwa Ibom.

That is how I went to visit the place and saw the building Lord Lugard signed the Amalgamation into law in 1914. I also saw his house and then I saw the spot where the women were reportedly shot in 1929. Touching. Then I saw the points where slaves were dispatched to Europe.

My people I also saw the holes where they were kept like fish before being shipped out. I even entered one of the holding places to better experience it.

When I got back to my hotel room, I was in a rush of emotions even as I was excited at the prospect of showing the power of these women who stood up against the tyranny of the colonial oppressors.

That is how it used to be when you are far from home and alone in a beautiful hotel room, I started to feel one kind.

My body start to move. I say no. I am a responsible and prominent citizen of this land, I will act with decorum and not fall to the base and crass behaviour of a wanton drunken sailor.

My people, all that one is story o. My body refuse to listen to all that English.

The thing was doing me one kind o. You know this Satan is real. Very real o. That is how my phone rang and it was my brother in Ibadan. He say, ‘Duke, I hear you are in Uyo’. I say yes. He say make I send woman.

I say ooohhhhhhhhhh Noooooo.

Jesussssss save me. Before I could say Jack Robinson, he had sent the picture.

Mbok come and see this girl. Light skinned, curvy and boxom. I died o. I say only Psalm 23 can stop me from this one o.

I say, “My brother no worry, I dey fear Covid’. He wasn’t letting up. ‘She don do test and don vaccinate twice so you are good.

The next minute I see video on my phone, ‘ Na the girl o- Duke how are you, I am just up the street. Can I come over now’. The guy had given her my number ooo Kai Abasi Mbok.

Goshhhhh. Where is my father when I need him o? I said, let me call you back.

I call my brother turned pimp- why are you doing this to me? I ask him.

I am trying to be a proper citizen and will not indulge. Please stop tempting me. He wasn’t letting up. ‘Duke that is a student who likes you, she is not these kinds. She is a fan and just wants to meet you.’

I say my brother this kind meeting for midnight, ‘na beg I dey beg you, I no get the will power if she come for the meeting, I will fall and it can become scandal of international proportions like my brother Bill Cosby’. Please na no vex, help me help myself. By this time the girl is still calling o. I had been caged.

So I say, ‘Well, a man die but once let’s do this thing and get over it after-all who will know let’s fire.

So I say my bro, ‘What does this entail, this meeting and he said when she is going in the morning just give her N50,000 for cab fare.

Instantly, I lost my erection and my common sense came back. I should pay this ‘girl’ above minimum wage for wetin. Didn’t this man hear that na six minutes be my log time? What will I tell NLC Chairman who is still fighting for N30,000 minimum wage. She should now come and do six minutes and pay her Unilag lecturer one month salary.

I say if you don’t drop this phone now, I will call DSS for you. Mbok imagine.

ANTHONY JOSHUA: YOU HAVE DONE WELL Let me quickly send a message of support to my brother who just lost all of his titles in just one night. Do not fret, you will bounce back. You are a strong Champion, our Champion, our leader and our hope.

I am not under any illusion that this is but a glitch in a powerfully inspiring career. Well-done, we still remain proud of you.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ OCTOBER 3, 2021

Adebayo Adeoye bayoolunla@gmail.com; 08054680651

SOCIETY WATCH

Mo Abudu’s Many ‘Sins’ No doubt, if you are a bibliophile or someone with an insatiable appetite for biographies and autobiographies, you would definitely love to read a book on Mosunmola Abudu, famously called Mo Abudu.

The multiple award-winner, who is also the first African woman in the continent to own a pan-African TV channel, EbonyLife TV, is a great inspiration and role model to the womenfolk in Africa. Her story had caught the attention of Forbes in 2013 when she was honoured with a prestigious award for treading an unbeaten path among African women.

For obvious reasons, when her name is mentioned, you may think she gained fame only for her heroic journey in the media business. That is not always the case, as she now has her hand in other pies, where she has proven that she possesses the proverbial magic wand.

Years back, she had dared mighty things, in pursuit of glorious triumphs.

With persistence and unwavering commitment to the attainment of excellence in her endeavours, things had begun to work for her; and today, she is a reference point in the business world.

Even so, she is celebrated at home and abroad as one of the crème of Nigeria’s league of extraordinary entrepreneurs.

Her success is attributable to hard work and valuable lessons she had learnt in her childhood days through adulthood.

However, her almost unmatched achievements, as well as her intimidating résumé, seem to be giving some people a headache. Rather than getting applause for her attainment, her ‘enemies’ see this as her ‘sins’ which she must be punished and rubbished for. The beautiful woman and go-getter is now reportedly an object of corrosive attacks by some vile folks.

Lately, her critics have attributed her success to her intimate relationships with two state governors (a former and serving one) from one of the South-west states. It was also alleged that she once dated a former bank chief.

However, her fans and ardent admirers have come to her defence, saying she rose to the pinnacle of her career through sheer hard work, resoluteness and firmness of purpose. ‘’Why do people have to be overly suspicious of a successful woman who struggles to reach the peak of her career?’’ a source asked rhetorically.

Abudu, also the Founder of Vic Lawrence & Associates, one of Nigeria’s leading outsourcing firms and media, was born in Hammersmith Hospital, London, United Kingdom. She obtained a Master’s degree in Human Resources Development from the University of Westminster in London.

The TV goddess started her professional career as a Recruitment Consultant with the Atlas Recruitment Consultancy firm in the UK. She was later headhunted by Starform Group, a very successful business information group in the UK in 1990. Between 1990 and 1992, she assumed responsibility for the research, design and production of several conferences and seminars whilst at Starform.

Bola Shagaya’s Plans for 62nd Birthday

Shagaya

At a first meeting, you will not only be attracted to her ravishing beauty, but also her brilliance and intelligence. Senator Folashade Grace Bent epitomises poise, allure and style.

Just like a goldfish that has no hiding place, her sartorial elegance speaks volumes about her.

The woman, who represented Adamawa South Senatorial District between 2007 and 2011, has always been recognised and celebrated for the several developmental projects she put in place while in office.

It was, therefore, not surprising to her fans when she was honoured with the CLIMA Africa Award 2021, in recognition of her outstanding achievements and impacts on humanity, on Saturday, September 25, 2021.

An obviously elated Senator Bent, in her remarks on the occasion, said: “I didn’t see it coming, especially against the background that I am not occupying any political office, which some people may have thought was the reason for the award.

“I feel the genuineness of the award coming at a time when I am out of a political office, but have consistently and effortlessly continued to assist indigent Nigerians, less-privileged, youths and the widows with my NGO, Grace Bent Light Foundation.

I never knew I was being watched. This is one of the very good awards I have received in recent times. It is obvious that in whatever

Successful people, they say, have two things on their lips: silence and smile. The smile is said to solve problems, while the silence is to avoid problems. Both seem to be the driving force and, perhaps, the secret behind the success of Hajia Bola Shagaya, a socialite of note. Her name evokes a lot of images in the minds of her fans: success, wealth, ambition, power, philanthropy and fellow-feeling, among others. Despite the uncertainty in the nation’s business sector, she has been able to stay above the waters with her acuity and ingenuity.

More than six decades after the stylish woman was brought forth to this “sinful world”, there is enough proof that God has continually lavished His favours on her.

She has always helped the needy around her in appreciation of all God has done. She does this religiously based on her strong belief in her faith, Islam, as well as lessons learnt from her heroes about helping the needy. She lives by the popular saying that “when you help the needy, leave your camera at home.”

In other words, she hates making noise of

A Well-deserving Award for Folashade Grace Bent we do in life, we can only run but cannot hide.

I congratulate the CLIMA Africa organisers for their painstaking meticulousness in selecting the crop of awardees for this year 2021.”

The award ceremony that was held in Abuja saw other prominent Nigerians honoured alongside Senator Bent in different categories for their positive impacts on society.

They included former President Goodluck Jonathan, who was honoured with the ‘Positive Impact Peace’ award; Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom and his Taraba State counterpart, Darius Ishaku, and Chairman emeritus, DAAR Communications Plc, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, among other eminent Nigerians.

It will be recalled that, in 2007, Senator Bent made history when she defeated many of her opponents in the senatorial election to represent Adamawa South, the largest senatorial district in the state, on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Dumo Lulu-Briggs Completes Eye-popping Architectural Masterpiece

Lulu-Briggs

her numerous philanthropic gestures and donations.

So, as she sets to mark her 62nd birthday on Sunday, October 10, 2021, her admirers agree that her life is worth celebrating.

Though sources say the birthday celebration will be devoid of fanfare, she will, among other things, organise a prayer to appreciate the Almighty God for His faithfulness in her life. For some of her close family members and friends, the event will certainly afford them another rare opportunity to show love to the very stylish woman, who has been recognised at home and abroad as a successful entrepreneur. Shagaya is usually driven by an abiding quest to change the lives of her compatriots for the better. No one would tar her with the brush of a wheelerdealer in her day-to-day business activities.

Growing up, she never allowed her pristine dream to be entombed; she pursued it with infectious gusto. She is a very strong woman who has never been hamstrung by any circumstance around her.

Like many parts of Victoria Island in Lagos, Idowu Taylor Street, over the decades, has been dotted with so many beautiful skyscrapers, office towers and massive shopping centres. But anyone who frequents the area would have observed yet another beautiful structure, Greystone Tower, on Engineering Close.

The presence of the 19-storey building owned by billionaire business mogul, Mr. Dumo Owukori Lulu-Briggs, Chairman of Platform Petroleum, has since changed the narrative of the neighbourhood that now wears a new look.

Sitting on an area of 2,031 square meters, the building, which started in 2015, is the tallest skyscraper in the entire neighbourhood. Before its completion, Lulu-Briggs, a graduate of Law from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State had altered the design, all in the quest for excellence.

Greystone Tower built by Dori Construction & Engineering Limited occupies 1,110 square meters. The parking section of the building

Bent

Consequently, she became the first female senator in the northeast geopolitical region of Nigeria and also the first female senator, based on marital affiliation, to be elected to the Senate in the whole of northern Nigeria. takes first to fifth floors; the 6th-floor on an area of 506 square meters is where the cafe and restaurant, with a gym are. Each flat size remains 100-to-150 square feet.

From the seventh floor to the 16th are expansive offices all found in 10 floors tastefully furnished for any company’s comfort. For those who want to have relaxation or accommodation, the 17th floor has en-suite luxury four three-bedroom PentHouse apartments as commercial executive residences. The River State-born billionaire exhibited his experience in real estate projects when he dedicated the 19th floor, specially for a rooftop and skyline Lounge with enough sunshine and oxygen to supply the comfort only nature can guarantee.

Not done yet, there is a helicopter landing arena on the top floor that provides services for the people on the move and all structural materials come with steel provided with an exquisite view of the Atlantic Ocean. Already, the corporate headquarters of Platform Petroleum Development Company Limited has taken up office space in Greystone Towers.

Torrent of Honours for Folly Coker

Abudu

In one of his oft-quoted statements, the popular Bishop of Caesarea, also called Saint Basil the Great, said: ‘’A good deed is never lost. He who sows courtesy reaps friendship; he who plants kindness gathers love; pleasure bestowed on a grateful mind was never sterile, but generally, gratitude begets reward.”

Folorunsho Folarin-Coker, DirectorGeneral, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), is known to have worked wonders wherever fate had placed him in the public service in the past years. As Commissioner for Arts and Culture in Lagos State, he shone brilliantly.

No doubt, when he was relieved of his job by the then governor of the state, Akinwunmi Ambode, a bigger role was thrown unto his laps by President Muhammadu Buhari for his excellent performance in Lagos. As he continues to make giant strides in his current position, he is also being rewarded with awards and honours to the admiration of all.

A few days ago, he was conferred with the chieftaincy title of the Baba Eto of Ilara Kingdom in Epe Local Government of Lagos State.

While he is basking in the euphoria of that enviable honour, His Royal Majesty, Ooni of

Coker

Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has announced that he will install the amiable man with the title of Baba Eto of Yorubaland, a title synonymous with one that was once held by his late father, Chief Nathaniel Folarin-Coker

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 24 2012

ARTS & REVIEW A

PUBLICATION

3.10.2021

REPRISING THE SAME OLD THEMES IN THE NAME OF HIS FATHER For the local aficionados, Oliver Enwonwu’s fourth solo outing should be a big deal despite his long absence from the exhibition circuit’s limelight, says Okechukwu Uwaezuoke

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ot even a long absence from active studio practice could have so easily effaced Oliver Enwonwu’s achievements and fame from the industry’s consciousness.

Ever since his very first solo outing at the now-closed Victoria Island-based Iola Gallery in 1999, this scion of the late legendary artist Ben Enwonwu virtually dropped off the local exhibition circuit’s radar. And this was for good reasons. A deft balancing act saw him managing Omenka Gallery while leading the Society of Nigerian Artists, first at the state level and eventually at the national level and all the while having a finger in nearly every pie in art activism. There were, of course, his brief – albeit, noteworthy – cameos in several local top-level group shows, which were interspersed with his forays into international exhibitions in the UK and the US. Then, two solos – following closely on the heels of each other in 2006 and 2007 – in Dublin further primed him for the big league.

So, this is why his much-trumpeted return with a fourth solo exhibition – which is the second in the local art scene – should be a big deal. For besides reaffirming his presence, after apparent time-off, the exhibition – which opened on Monday, September 20 at the Alliance Française premises in the leafy Ikoyi neighbourhood – also reprises the same old themes for which his father was renowned. Indeed, it would be hard, if not impossible, not to recognise this latest effort as an endeavour to follow in the latter’s footsteps.

Even back in 1999, the artist had acknowledged his late father’s influence in an exclusive interview at the venue of his exhibition.“The son of a carpenter ought to know his father’s trade even when he doesn’t grow to be one,”he said.

His early exposure to art under the tutelage of his father, which initiated him into the realms of visual experiences, explains the fact that his first degree from the University of Lagos was in biochemistry rather than in fine arts.“I learnt better under my father informally than I would have learnt in a classroom,”he affirmed, adding that biochemistry offered him a deep understanding of art.

Back toThe Politics of Representation, as the exhibition, which ends on Sunday, October 10 is titled. It features 20 portraits, each of which strives to outdo each other in their celebration of blackness. If they seem rather too reminiscent of the works of the Renaissance-era paintings, it is because Enwonwu appropriated a representational form of expression that is often associated with European masters. This, Hannah O’Leary, the Sotheby’s Director/Head, Modern & Contemporary African Art, aptly described as“centring on West African subjects depicted in the manner of Western portraiture”.

In a manner of speaking, the exhibition is Enwonwu’s sally against the unflattering depictions of black people in Western historical art.“When we were featured, we were depicted mostly as slaves,” he says in an interview published in the exhibition’s catalogue.“I try to celebrate what is good about Africa. Even when my subjects are ordinary people, I put them in a stately fashion using the same tools and the same style of working that Europeans historically used to turn‘the gaze’on us. So that’s why I engage portraiture and why you see that the background is‘classical’, poses are‘classical’, and the figures elevated; they’re strong, proud and regal.”

Another painting idealising the female figure

Oliver Enwonwu Obviously, the good-time feel of the Negritude doctrine – known from the outset to have been a stock-in-trade of the 2012 University of Lagos MA Visual Arts holder, who specialised in art history – still resonates with him.

Nonetheless, it is gratifying that the artist, in a nod to the fact that true progress for a people can only be achieved in the advancement of its own culture and not through imitation, depicts his subjects in their native attires. Thus, he unconsciously refutes some of the old Western portrayals of the African in European clothes, which seem to reinforce the stereotype of a people without a culture of their own.

A most easily-grasped feature of his paintings, meanwhile, is the elegant representation – which sometimes verges on romanticisation – of the African female figure. In the 2021 oil on canvas paintings“Ronke”and“Ronke II”, for instance, he portrays a prominent princess from the Ile-Ife royal family, whose aunt Adetutu was the subject of his father’s highly-prized and much sought-after portrait series, titled“Tutu”. Perhaps, it is in a nod to her royal pedigree that he positions her elegant figure in a royal chair against the backdrop of an opulent setting, inserting his father’s portrait of Tutu at the painting’s top left corner.“I remember when one iteration of‘Tutu’sold for $1.6 million,

Ronke, a good friend and I had a conversation about initiating a generational dialogue; while I’m the artist’s son, she is a niece of the famous Tutu,” he says.

The same sentiments, swirling around the urge to celebrate the accomplishments of African women, inspired the artist’s series of paintings of the svelte figures in the“Signares”and“Belle of Senegal”. Ironically, the Signares – Mulatto women of French and African descent, who lived in Gorée Island and Saint-Louis in the 18th and 19th centuries – wielded so much authority and influence in the hierarchies of the Atlantic Slave Trade.The artist celebrates them not only for that reason but also for material assets and endowments.

But, womanhood – endowed by the Creator with the most delicate intuitive faculty –deserves to be honoured for better reasons! Indeed, all her vaunted earthly accomplishments pale in comparison with her Divinely-assigned task, which has nothing to do with her visibility in public life. A true queen, due to her unhindered access to radiations from the Light, she has been naturally primed for the upliftment of earthly surroundings.

Hence, Enwonwu’s visual tribute to African womanhood should have had a more rousing effect on the viewer if it had been focused on her inner strength rather than on her material

circumstances.

Because the artist scours for subtle expressions of inner values, he sees beyond the actual physical features of his live sitters. Sometimes, he even transposes them to time-and-space specific locations.

With dark, muted colours, which should have the effect of dimmed lights on his viewers, he draws them to a closer and deeper contemplation of the works.“There’s a sense of mystery as opposed to when they’re too vibrant, where you see everything at a glance. I want people to keep appreciating a painting as the more you look, the more things you should see. A good painting literally unfolds before you as time goes on.”

The“Wanderer Series”displays the only two portraits in the exhibition depicting male figures.

These portraits of turbaned male subjects evoking nomadicTuaregs were produced from the several evolving features of the artist’s former gateman Ali. Metaphorically speaking, the artist probes deeper beyond Ali’s gross material cloak and circumstances in search of the real human being.

And, despite his apparent destitute conditions, he celebrates him nonetheless.

The exhibition, curated by SMO Gallery, is supported by Alliance Française and Louis Guntrum wines.

EDITOR OKECHUKWU UWAEZUOKE/ okechukwu.uwaezuoke@thisdaylive.com

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER OCTOBER 3, 2021

ARTS & REVIEW\\MUSIC

R.KELLY: THE FALL OF AN INCREDIBLE SINGER-SONGWRITER Yinka Olatunbosun

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nd the jury found him guilty of racketeering and sex trafficking including counts of sexual exploitation of a minor and kidnapping.

The jury-comprising seven men and five women- endured 23 days of trial that saw tearful testimonies of 50 witnesses mostly women who claimed that American singer-songwriter and record producer, R. Kelly had lured them into what may be described as sex slavery. R.Kelly’s recent conviction has divided his fans into three: fans who have rejected his music and condemned his criminal lifestyle; fans who still love his music but disapprove of his misconduct and finally fans who still believe he is innocent and celebrate him with his greatest hits. But one thing that everyone would likely agree on is that R.Kelly is the King of R&B, King of Pop-Soul and a sex symbol. He has sold over 75million records globally. The most successful R&B artist of the 1990s is a three-time Grammys-winning artist. His music is a natural aphrodisiac, with a consciously paced rhythm and seductive flow.

When the Mute R.Kelly movement started, many people including on-air personalities didn’t understand why his personal life and choices should get in the way of his source of livelihood; and for others who have worked with him whether as studio and sound engineer, instrumentalists, tour managers, public relations and the entire eco-system of music production. For those who have followed the history of R.Kelly’s bold-faced sexual abuse of minors, it may be easy to understand. His former record label, RCA Records dropped him in 2019.

Flashback to 1996, R.Kelly escaped a sexual abuse trial when he settled out of court. That triggered some curiosity and some journalists

began to investigate. Jim Derogatis and Abdon M. Pallasch published a story on several allegations of sexual abuse of minors against R.Kelly in 2000 but when the police began to investigate, the victims didn’t co-operate. The following year, someone sent a sex tape in VHS format to the journalists who turned it over to Chicago police.

The news went viral and eventually, it was copied and even sold on the streets by 2002. After these, more allegations of R.Kelly’s sexual crimes came to the fore and most were settled out of court, with victims forced to sign non-disclosure agreements.

One of the most prominent of his victims was the late singer, Aaliyah. It was reported that R.Kelly, her supposed music mentor, began having sexual relations with her at age 14. To cover up what would have been a scandal of the decade, he married her whilst parading a marriage certificate that documented the singer as 18 when in truth, she was only 15.

Fast-forward to 2017, Buzzfeed publishes an exclusive report of R.Kelly, alleging that he ran a sex cult, estranged young girls from their families.

Oronike Odeleye then started a campaign Mute R.Kelly to stop radio station in Atlanta from playing his songs. Rolling Stone also published another story based on the singer’s sexual crimes. In 2019, the nerve-racking docu-series, Surviving R.Kelly was premiered. It provoked global outrage and renewed calls for investigation.

For music fans, it was a season of reckoning.

Some of R.Kelly’s lyrics were suggestive of him relishing the impunity, holding dark memories and retraumatising his victims when they are played.“Age Ain’t Nothing but A Number”was a duet he did with Aaliyah and the title of her debut album. While R.Kelly persists in denial of the truth, it becomes ever clearer that he sees“Nothing Wrong with A Little Bump N Grind”, so he keeps making soulful spiritual hits like“I believe I can Fly”, “The Storm is Over”and“Gotham City”every time he got slapped with a lawsuit. His life as well as

music is like a roller-coaster of image laundering.

As a charismatic criminal, he continues to“stick his key into the ignition.’’

His sexualised lyrics are sometimes accounts of his unsaid confessions, not just fantasies. For instance, one of his victims was a former hairstylist who could never recover from the singer’s sexual advances that he later articulated in the song“Hair braider”.

To appreciate his artistry, first, you must understand that R.Kelly doesn’t read and write.

Still, he created a 33-chapter series called Trapped in the Closet. The spell-binding sung movie that the genius artist composed dramatises a story of a one-night stand which sets off a chain of events, gradually revealing a greater web of lies, sex and deceit. How much closer can the truth in R.Kelly’s life get to the characters and persona he builds through his narrative songs? It is a matter of personal choice and conscience whether to listen or play his music. But can one’s personal music preference cause emotional pains for others?

Defenders of R.Kelly would insist that he is what a typical music artist is: sex-craving with loads of hush money.

However, the graphic accounts of his sexual escapades with minors, and his annoying God complex exceed what could be called mere sexual preference. R.Kelly asked some of victims to smear their own faeces on their faces and lick them as punishment for failing to abide by his rules- add to this his taste for‘golden showers’that is pouring his urine on his sex partners.

The criminal justice system in the US understands sex addiction and would send an addict into therapy. Some celebrities have come out as sex addicts including ASAP Rocky, Tiger Woods, Britney Spears and Justin Bieber. They had struggled with depression and made‘comebacks’ or at least some improvement in their careers. But for a person like R.Kelly who believes he is training young girls to sexually please him, while luring

R Kelly R. them with the impression that he could help to start their music careers, which he never did, and deliberately infecting young girls with incurable sexually transmitted disease-that is criminal.

As long as R.Kelly claims innocence, there would be fans-millions of them-who will keep believing that he has been wrongfully convicted, and that is scary. Even his former crisis manager, Darell Johnson had to quit at some point. His former wife, staff, former collaborators, over 50 women had failed to convince these die-hard fans of R.Kelly.

Such is the power and influence of his music.

Certainly, the storm is not over for R.Kelly. He would be sentenced next year by May 4 having been found guilty of all counts in the New York trial. He faces a pending case in the city’s federal courthouse for charges on child pornography and obstruction of justice. As well as four separate indictments alleging sexual abuse that are unresolved at Chicago’s Leighton Criminal Court Building in Cook County, and a child prostitution charge in Minnesota. R. Kelly faces up to life imprisonment.

EXHIBITION

IN THE PRESIDENT’S PHOTOGRAPHER’S LENS, NIGERIA LOOKS MORE PROMISING Okechukwu Uwaezuoke

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t was on Thursday, September 30 –“at 2 pm, Nigerian time,”Ebuka Obi-Uchendu told the distinguished gathering at the Presidential Villa, Aso Rock’s Banquet Hall – that Bayo Omoboriowo was notified by Guinness that his book, Discover Nigeria, now holds the Guinness World Record as the largest photobook. It had to be since the display copy of the book at the venue is said to measure “7.8 metres by 7.8 metres (totalling 60.84 square metres or 654 ft² 87 in²) when closed and when opened it is 15.65 metres on its horizontal breadth and 7.8 metres on its vertical length.”

An email sent by the Records Management Team of Guinness informed Omoboriowo that his “application for largest photo book has been successful”and that he is“now the Guinness World Records Title Holder!”This made the 34-year-old “for one complimentary Guinness World Records certificate.”

Omoboriowo, President Muhammadu Buhari’s official photographer, was indeed the man of the moment around whom the events of the eve of Nigeria’s 61st Independence anniversary swirled. Among the distinguished personalities at the high-octane ceremony were the president, the Vice President Professor Yemi Osinbajo, the Speaker of the House of Representatives Femi Gbajabiamila, the Information, Culture and Tourism Minister Lai Mohammed, the Sultan of Sokoto Muhammadu Sa'ad Abubakar and the Ooni of Ife Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi. Included among other high-profile attendees were some state governors and members of the diplomatic corps.

Back to Omoboriowo and the Guinness Award.

The Ekiti State native, a fervent believer in Nigeria’s potential greatness, said:“I am grateful to God for the privilege to be the Nigerian I am, grateful

The president unveils the Guinness World Record-holding photo book to my family and loved ones and very grateful to President Buhari for believing in me from day 1 and supporting this idea from inception.

“Nigeria is a beautiful country with huge potentials and I’m glad our efforts in promoting Nigerian Art and Culture to the world haven’t been a wasted effort. Join us to Discover Nigeria, join us to birth a new narrative of a vibrant people and culture.”

Omoboriowo, a pure and applied chemistry graduate of the University of Lagos, also disclosed that the book presentation was conceived as part of Nigeria’s diamond celebration. To construct the

giant frame book mounted at the hall, he enlisted the help of over 60 young Nigerians.

Still on the book, it was printed and mounted as a 60sqm giant frame book, which features 60 images, 60 pages, 60 square metres, in celebration of Nigeria at 60. Hence, the slogan: 60:60:60:60.

Besides the unveiling of the record-holding largest book, there was also the official launch of the photo book’s coffee table version (published

by JTAgency in collaboration with Omoboriowo) as well as an exhibition of Nigeria’s art, craft and cultures, across the various geo-political zones, which was curated by the Otunba Segun

Runsewe-led National Council of Arts and Culture. There was also a sideshow displaying the country’s cuisine and delicacies culled from some states across the six geo-political zones of the federation.

This was one reason why the event was known as 36in36 – an obvious allusion to its celebration of the uniqueness of the 36 states.

President Buhari, who declared his excitement to be unveiling the book, considers it as making a case for why Nigerians should always be positive about the country. Harping on unity among Nigeria’s diverse groups, President Buhari, in his speech at the event, said that the country“is undoubtedly a blessed nation with abundant human and natural resources underpinned by a very rich socio-cultural diversity which needs to be positively harnessed to forge a greater Nigeria.”

“For this diversity to translate into positive gains that would ensure an inclusive, equitable and sustainable growth requires that we Nigerians consistently embrace the ethics and values that unite us in spite of our diversity, appreciate our individual and collective role in the nationbuilding and forging ahead as a people with a common vision as a strong and indivisible nation,” he continued. “For me, this is the key message of today’s activities. Today’s event is anchored on the importance of our discovering our great Nation TOGETHER and not discovering it in our individual spaces as we are wont to do. I am sure some of us have gone through the various stands at this venue and as we went through the Discover Nigeria pavilion, we must have been struck with not only the beauty but also the intensity of the common strands running through our culture.

“As we all march towards building the Nigeria of our dreams, Government will continue to provide the enabling environment for citizens to achieve their dreams while we count on their support to make Nigeria a better place for all.”

Congratulating the awards recipients at the ceremony, he reminded the audience that the awards, just like the centenary awards, was different from the Nigerian National Merit Award and saw in it“another opportunity to encourage Nigerians that individual achievements would always be rewarded.”

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER OCTOBER 3, 2021

CICERO

Editor: Ejiofor Alike SMS: 08066066268 email:ejiofor.alike@thisdaylive.com

IN THE ARENA

2023: As INEC Reasserts Self

By clearing the fog trailing the rejection of e-transmission of election results by the National Assembly, the Independent National Electoral Commission has boldly reasserted its statutory powers, Louis Achi writes

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n a very audacious move that demonstrated its willingness to conduct credible elections in 2023, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), had recently in its stoutest defence of the electronic transmission of election results, revealed that it had evolved adequate structures and processes to successfully transmit election results electronically.

The agency reiterated its readiness to commence electronic transmission of election results as soon as it gets the legal nod, declaring that Nigeria is ripe for the deployment of the technology.

A seemingly elated INEC Chairman, Prof.

Mahmood Yakubu, who revealed this in a 25-page “Position Paper No. 1 of 2021 Electronic Transmission of Election” released, penultimate Saturday, in Abuja, said Nigeria has adequate Information Communication Technology (ICT), infrastructure for e-transmission.

His words: “The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC believes that it has developed adequate structures and processes to successfully transmit election results electronically. Electronic transmission of results will improve the quality of election result management and that our engagement with stakeholders shows that the Nigerian public supports it.

“The technology and national infrastructure to support this are adequate. Consequently, if the choice was up to INEC, the Commission prefers to transmit election results electronically once the necessary legal framework is provided. This Position Paper will, among other things, try to elaborate on the reasons the transmission of election results electronically is both desirable and doable,” he reportedly explained.

More, the electoral umpire further held that to require it to obtain attestation from the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) and approval of the National Assembly to implement electronic transmission of election results will be in breach of the Constitution.

Yakubu added that the recent debates regarding e-transmission had not bothered to look at the desirability or otherwise of using the innovation for elections in Nigeria.

According to Yakubu, “Two guiding principles underlying the Commission’s application of technology are timeliness and relevance. These principles underscore the Commission’s belief that the time has come for Nigerian elections to transcend the cumbersome, tardy and vulnerable manual transmission and collation of election results to electronic

Mamhud

transmission”.

INEC said it would not abdicate its constitutional duty of superintending the electoral and political process, clarifying it had always interfaced with diverse agencies of government, private sector and civic groups in its resolve to establish a virile and world-class electoral process for the country.

It could be recalled that in what many saw as overweening legislative circus, the National Assembly in July, declined parliamentary endorsement to allow INEC electronically transmit election results. The move had spawned considerable controversy and unsubstantiated allegations of financial inducement of many legislators.

Voting largely along party lines, the Senate rejected the electronic transmission of results, while the House of Representatives ruled it should only be done after INEC gets the permission of the National Communication Commission (NCC) and the National

gloves with some unsavoury, anti-progressive forces plotting to rig elections, the national election body clarified that, “if the choice was up to INEC, the commission prefers to transmit election results electronically once the necessary legal framework is provided.”

“It’s noteworthy that for several off-season and by-elections conducted since the 2019 general election, INEC had begun to electronically publish images of polling unit results through its INEC Result Viewing (IReV) Portal.

“This system had been deployed in several major off-season/end-of-tenure and by-elections, including the Edo and Ondo states’ governorship elections, six senatorial and three federal constituency by-elections, 15 state constituencies and one councillorship constituency in the FCT. From the results obtained from these elections, INEC is convinced that electronic results management will add great value to the transparency and credibility of elections in Nigeria“, it added.

While IReV was not electronic transmission of results, the portal had helped the agency to test three factors central to electronic transmission of results, including the efficacy of electronic results management, should the legal encumbrance be lifted. The position paper under reference revealed that INEC had used the IReV portal to test the security of its systems and the capacity of the national infrastructure to support future electronic transmission of results.

As it were, since August 2020, INEC has Assembly. conducted elections and transmitted Indeed, the lawmakers elected on election results from 20 States and the the platform of the All Progressives FCT, covering 27 constituencies spread Congress (APC) rallied few opposiacross 84 LGAs, 925 Wards and 14,296 tion lawmakers to vote against the Polling units involving 9,884,910. The e-transmission of results. conclusion drawn from these diverse However, the two chambers of the National Assembly are set to meet to pilots conducted since 2011 is that the country is ready for electronic transmisharmonise their positions before a final amended bill is sent to President sion of results.

Meanwhile, a tweaked Electoral Act Muhammadu Buhari for his signing should also make for electronic acinto law. creditation of voters, based on biometric INEC’s bold initiative to proactively features which is the basis for allowing and publicly engage core stakeholdvoters to cast their ballots, what INEC urers and the public at large speaks to gently requires is a legal framework that an important and welcome shift in enables rather than constrains electronic strategy. transmission of results specifically, and Clearly, the objectives of INEC’s full electronic voting generally. position paper was to explain the The subsisting situation where manual desirability of electronic transmisaccreditation supersedes biometric sion of results as an electoral reform issue as well as clarify the position of accreditation through electronic means, undermines the full benefits of the apthe electoral umpire on some of the central issues around e-transmission plication of technology to elections.

Will the legislature, which has the jurisof results. dictional purview of birthing the requisite To shred lingering suspicions that legal framework play ball? Big question!

INEC is secretly working hand-in-

P O L I T I CA L N OT E S

Enough of the London Pilgrimage!

Tinubu

At this rate, it’s about time Nigeria’s obviously lazy political class needed to halt their pilgrimage to London, the United Kingdom, where they have been trooping for some time now to visit one of their leaders, Senator Bola Tinubu, who is currently recuperating in the city.

It’s okay to identify with anyone who’s been indisposed for one reason or the other, as it is in human nature to do so.

But the case of Tinubu has already been politicised and more, it has become some sort of competitions amongst the lot, who wanted to be seen with the self-styled political godfather for

obvious reasons.

Unfortunately, this is being taken to the extreme. There’s definitely an untoward impression and distaste this over-dramatised humanity is leaving in the minds and mouths of friends of Nigeria in other parts of the world.

When are Nigerian political elites going to be more serious about equally serious things of governance and development?

Of course, questions are being asked about who has been funding the trips.

But that’s a no-brainer. A majority of them can actually pick their bills, since obviously they are largely paying it

forward with the man, after, of course, making free money in government.

However, enough of such favouritism.

Not only is it no longer making sense, it is beginning to irritate and nauseate the observing public.

These folks have hidden ostensibly behind humanity, kindness and solidarity with a man to overstretch this sheer inanity. They should know that the public is not stupid either. The visit has been largely political and they’ve been there to discuss nothing but politics despite the fact that man is still presumed unwell. You guys had better get serious, sensible and focused. Lazy lot!

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER OCTOBER 3, 2021

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BRIEFINGNOTES El-Rufai’s Gaffe on Open Grazing Laws Following Governor Nasir el-Rufai’s recent statement that the anti-open grazing laws enacted by his southern colleagues are not implementable, Ejiofor Alike writes that it is only in a faulty federation that the head of one federating unit can make comments to demean the position of his colleagues and interfere in the laws made in other federating units to protect lives

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overnor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State recently reminded Nigerians of the country’s lopsided federal structure, nepotism and other weaknesses in the Nigerian federation when he declared that the anti-open grazing laws enacted by the southern governors are not implementable.

The Kaduna State governor is not new to controversies. But his recent comment on the anti-open grazing laws being enacted by his southern colleagues was impunity taken too far.

The statement reminded Nigerians that the state governors lacked the capacity to implement the laws they made in their federating units, yet Nigeria is a federation.

By his statement, El-Rufai has also reminded Nigerians that only the federal security agencies dominated by the section of the country that is opposed to the anti-grazing laws that have the capacity to enforce the laws.

In summary, the Kaduna State governor was simply saying that the laws are dead on arrival.

Speaking at the All Progressives Congress (APC) secretariat in Abuja on the killings of farmers by herdsmen across the country, the governor reportedly chided the southern governors for enacting Anti-Open Grazing Law in their states.

In what appeared to be a subtle threat, the Kaduna governor reportedly said the laws are “not implementable.”

He further argued that it was “not a matter of populist legislation or saying tomorrow this or that. It is not a solution”.

He accused them of “politicising” the killing of farmers by the herders, which led the states to make the laws.

“What is unhelpful is the politicising of the situation and pass legislation that you know that you cannot implement.”

The Kaduna State governor is not known to have publicly condemned the activities of the rampaging herdsmen in Enugu, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Anambra, Oyo, Ondo, Benue, Ogun, Abia and other states especially in the South but was quick to describe the laws being made to stop their atrocities as “populist legislation.”

El-Rufai added: “The Northern States Governors’ Forum has already taken a position that open grazing is not a sustainable way of livestock production.

And we must move towards ranching.

“But moving towards ranching cannot be done overnight. We have to plan, we have to have resources and we have to

El-Rufai implement it.”

Kaduna State has become a killing field and the governor has not found a solution to the killings, yet he is advising the other governors not to make laws to stop the escalation of the killings in their states.

It is only in the fraudulent Nigerian federation that a state governor can interfere in the laws being made to ensure security of lives and good governance in other federating units.

El-Rufai wants his fellow governors in a federation to wait until his kinsmen-herders are ready for ranches before they are stopped from ravaging other people’s farmlands, destroying crops, raping women, sacking villagers, seizing their lands and killing those who question their atrocities.

However, the Kaduna State governor has met his match in the Chairman of the Southern Governors Forum and Ondo State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu.

Reacting to the statement credited to his Kaduna State counterpart, Akeredolu argued that if el-Rufai was properly quoted and his views not misrepresented, then it was obvious that the Kaduna State governor “is struggling hard to export banditry to the South under an expressed opinion that is laced with mischief.”

Akeredolu, in a statement issued by the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Donald Ojogo, said the statement by El-Rufai should not have come from a leader.

In the statement titled: ‘Anti-open

grazing: El-Rufai’s attack on southern governors devious, a hysteric ploy to externalise banditry,’ Akeredolu reiterated that the anti-open grazing law, especially in Ondo State, had come to stay, saying, “it shall be zealously guarded and conscionably deployed to protect all residents of Ondo State, notwithstanding their ethnic and religious biases.”

The statement read, “From all indications, Governor Nasir El-Rufai, if he was properly quoted and his views not misrepresented, is struggling hard to export banditry to the South under an expressed opinion that is laced with mischief.

“Perhaps, it is apt to state clearly that the likes of Governor El-Rufai are already in a hysteric ‘mode’ of escalating and indeed, externalising banditry, especially as the military onslaught against criminal elements and other terror variants suffices in the North.

“For emphasis, any such comment like that of the Kaduna governor, if indeed he made that statement, merely seeks to encourage anarchy under the guise of resentment of a law by affected stakeholders.”

The apex Igbo sociopolitical organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo also chided the Kaduna State governor, saying his vituperation was part of the reasons for the popular clamour for the decentralisation of security agencies.

“We didn’t expect that a governor would rise and make a remark that tends to demean the position of his colleagues . . . El-Rufai’s outburst is one of the reasons we are calling for a decentralised security architecture and also the need for such regional security outfits like Ebube Agu and Amotekun,” Ohanaeze reportedly said.

It is believed that El-Rufai’s audacity to mock the laws banning open grazing in the southern states stemmed from the fact that all the security agencies that should enforce these laws are not controlled by the state governors, and these agencies are also dominated by a section of the country that is opposed to these laws.

If Nigeria is a true federation, there should be a state police to enforce state laws.

However, El-Rufai should be reminded that Amotekun, Ebube Agu and other regional and local security outfits can be empowered with the necessary legislations to prosecute violators of these laws in local courts, in accordance with the Nigerian Constitution.

NOTES FOR FILE

Are Kidnappers on the Prowl in Lagos?

There seems to be a resurgence of cases of abductions on the street of Lagos State. Before the recent kidnap incidents, Niger Delta militants dislodged from the creeks of the oil-rich region had attempted to ply their evil trade in Lagos but were quickly contained by the eagle-eyed and well-equipped security agencies in the state.

A notorious billionaire kidnap kingpin, Mr. Chukwudi Onuamadike, better known as Evans, had also carried out successful kidnap operations in the state and collected millions of dollars in ransom before he was successfully nabbed by the police.

However, the three abduction incidents that occurred in the state within a period of three days have caused apprehension among the residents.

First, gunmen on Sunday kidnapped one Ogbuagu Kingsley Kachi at around 11 am from the premises of the Roman Catholic Church of Visitation in FESTAC Town, in Amuwo-Odofin area of the state.

Though the spokesman of the Lagos State Police Command, Adekunle Ajisebutu, in a statement issued on Thursday, said the victim had been rescued and reunited with his family, kidnappers had also on Monday abducted Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Sikiru Smith (rtd.), a former Chief of Logistics, Nigerian Air Force (NAF) in Ajah area of the state.

Smith, a cousin to former Inspector-General of Police and current Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Musiliu Smith, was abducted at his

site in front of Blenco Supermarket.

A pastor with the Redeemed Church of God (RCCG) and his wife were also kidnapped during the period under review.

The kidnappers intercepted their vehicle at Dopemu, Agege area of Lagos, on their way home. His wife was released by the gunmen after an unspecified amount was paid as ransom, while they were said to have demanded N50 million for her husband’s release.

The police spokesman, Ajisebutu has however said efforts were being intensified to rescue Smith and the Pastor He noted that operatives are“being tactical so as not to jeopardise the lives of the AVM and the pastor”.

Sanwo Olu Sanwo-Olu

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER OCTOBER 3, 2021

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CICERO/ISSUE

At 61, Nigeria Still a Sleeping Giant AsNigeriamarked61yearsofself-government, AdemolaOrunbonwritesthatthecountryisstillfarfromrealising her greatness

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s Nigerians marked the 61st independence anniversary of their beloved country last Friday, it was obvious that the myriad of unnerving socio-economic and security challenges has made it increasingly difficult for the country to realise her potentials for greatness.

October 1, therefore, signalled another opportunity to ponder on the state of the nation and the failure of leadership, which has largely defined the country’s misfortune.

To that extent, no patriotic Nigerian can pretend to be satisfied with the development and progress of this country 61 years after independence.

However, it is not misguided optimism to argue that the nation’s best days are still ahead.

Nigeria remains a country of diverse nationalities, cultures, religions and values, which has defied all doomsday predictions.

This is enough reason for self-congratulation and hope of a better future. On balance, however, there is little to celebrate about Nigeria at 61. As the depressing indices indicate in the areas such as security of lives and property, food production, industrial output, quality of education, healthcare, economic diversification and productivity, there is indeed cause for worry. Not only do Nigerians eat the bread they do not produce, wear clothes they do not weave, and drink wine imported from other countries, they now import almost everything, including toothpicks.

Nigerians also read books, quote facts and figures about their country from foreign sources and rely on development models designed by outsiders with vested interests.

Sixty one years after independence, many still blame the present parlous state of the country on the British colonialists who left the shores of the country over five decades ago. At 61, Nigeria has much catch-up to do. And let no one be deluded that 61 years is a short time in the life of a country. The Nigerian economy is in dire straits with the potential to get worse if sound political and economic judgment is not brought to bear on the affairs of state.

The Nigerian economy had officially registered its first recession in more than two decades. The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) had released a raft of official data on GDP, inflation, unemployment, and capital formation, which along with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) manufacturing performance index, showed a terrible economic downturn. With foreign reserves depleted significantly, exchange rate rose up to unexpected levels, and oil prices unstable, the impact is only better imagined if all the fundamentals are not mustered to manage this situation. This is why President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration must now articulate a grand vision for the nation, and re-direct Nigerians towards actualising

the vision. Given the terrible scenario playing out in the country, manifested in mass poverty, high corruption in government, gross official recklessness, nepotism, agitation for secession and near zero governance, it is obvious that the ship of the state is rudderless.

There is hardly any aspect of governance that cannot be faulted for corruption and incompetence.

However, as the nation marks 61 years of self-government, it is not too late for the Nigerians leaders to change and make democracy work for the people. Too much pain has been inflicted on Nigerians and now is the time for the Nigerian leaders to focus more on the Nigerian project and remove the obstacles standing in the way of realising that promise. At independence in 1960, there was a groundswell of euphoria and hope in the Nigerian project. It is sobering that 61 years later, the anticipated gains of nationhood envisaged by the founding fathers are still a mirage.

Not a few have marveled at the exemplary character of Nigeria’s founding fathers: the simplicity of Tafawa Balewa, the selflessness of Ahmadu Bello, the nationalism of Nnamdi Azikiwe and the enduring vision of Obafemi Awolowo, all of which towered above their personal ambitions.

Today, Nigeria is so greatly afflicted that some wonder at her prospects. The trouble with Nigeria, noted famed author and intellectual icon, Chinua Achebe, is a failure of leadership. This failure has resulted in shattered hopes, broken promises, missed opportunities, and unfulfilled aspirations. A nation, it has been said, rises or falls on the quality of its leadership. Nigeria is a terrible victim of the poverty of good leadership, and most destructively, political leadership. Good leaders must show strength of conviction and character. What poor leadership in Nigeria has done is to create 200 to 250 million passive citizens who have no voice.

Every citizen must therefore share the blame, one way or the other, for the Nigerian condition. There has never been a shortage of speeches by Nigerian leaders in favour of good intentions to govern in the best interest of the country and its people. Over the years, Nigerians have heard to the point of being deafened, that the government is committed to promoting good governance.

The inaugural addresses of elected leaders and military coup plotters revealed uncanny similarities in promises. Yet, as the quality of successive leadership deteriorated, Nigeria has regressed in all the yardsticks for measuring the progress of nations. All these notwithstanding, it is pointless to look back with regret and anger at lost opportunities.

If Nigeria gets its leadership right, and its act together, the country can be as great as any country on earth. There is, of course, a time and season for everything. So, a change was inevitable. The election of President Buhari, largely on the strength of his integrity,

had indicated a yearning by the people for a good leader they could trust to serve in the best interest of Nigeria. But over six years after taking oath of office twice, Nigerians are still waiting for the change promised by the APC. From his appointments into high public offices, Buhari’s administration has demonstrated an uncanny addiction to primordial sentiments. This indeed, is unfortunate, for a man who pledged in his inaugural, that he belonged to nobody and he belonged to everybody. This administration needs to understand that leadership is not about ethnic domination or a selfish power equation; it is rather a disposition of moral strength and sacrifice to genuinely carry out a mission for the common good.

Since the return to democracy in 1999 the political class has shown impetuous and irresponsible behaviour at the expense of the people. The looting and the waste going on in Nigeria in the name of governance has no parallel anywhere else and is responsible for breeding an angry and alienated citizenry who see no dividend in this democracy. On all accounts, Nigeria at 61 is yet to fulfill her destiny. The current structure of Nigeria today, which is anything but federal, holds down the country, stunts its growth, truncates its progress and actually threatens its unity.

This false federation must be corrected as soon as possible to liberate the nation’s full potentials. The starting point towards the actualisation of a Nigeria of our dreams is the implementation of the 2014 National Conference report. The report is not in any way a perfect document, but certainly one good enough to take off from.

The need for a new Nigeria is very urgent. To chart a course of progress, Nigeria needs big dreamers and even bigger dreams. The country needs leaders who would do things the unusual way. It is not too late to rescue Nigeria from the brink. Exemplary leadership is imperative at all levels to realise the dreams of the founding fathers who toiled for Nigeria’s statehood. Nigeria must demonstrate its coveted state of independence by beginning a new chapter, and the time to do so is now.

At 61, Nigeria needs to answer the increasing number of questions that have cropped up. Has the country come of age?

Is there a need for celebration? Are there hopes of better tomorrow? Nigerians look forward daily to the actualisation of the dreams and visions packaged by the founding fathers of this country. They also look forward to seeing a realistic improvement on the inherent inadequacies that have stood in the way of attaining peace, harmony, tranquility, progress and unity, in the first instance, and the accomplishments of all the tasks that will make room for true attainment of a Nigerian nation.

Orunbon writes from Abeokuta..

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CICERO/REPORT

Justice Tanko Muhammad

As Courts Resume New Legal Year Asthecourtsresumeforthe2021/2022legalyear,AlexEnumahhighlights areas where many Nigerians want judges to urgently focus attention on to improve the general image of the judiciary

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fter about eight weeks of vacation, courts all over the country at the federal and state levels have commenced sitting for the 2021/2022 legal year. Like every other resumption, the judges who used the period of the vacation to cool off, have come back to face their daunting challenges.

Apart from the numerous applications and motions awaiting their attention, the judges are again returning to work at a time the image of the entire judiciary is abysmally low.

There are a number of cases that need to be urgently resolved, and the resolution of these cases rests squarely with how fast the courts can expeditiously determine them.

Over the years, many Nigerians have lost confidence in the courts, not only because of their slow pace of justice delivery but the illogical, incoherent and sometimes the incongruous decisions, orders and judgments they dispense.

First, as the new legal begins, many Nigerians would want to see a situation where judicial authorities led by the National Judicial Council (NJC), tackle the incessant conflicting and contradictory orders and judgments especially by courts of coordinate jurisdiction. Not only have these orders and judgments cause Nigeria huge embarrassment, they have also posed danger to the country’s jurisprudence and democracy.

A few months ago, Nigerians were thoroughly embarrassed with the way and manner some state High Courts handled the case involving the embattled National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus and those concerning the forthcoming governorship election in

Anambra State.

Incidentally, the next one year will be very crucial for the third arm of government as the country prepares for the 2023 general election. During this period, Nigerians would want to see a judiciary that is not partisan and will not tolerate the excesses and desperations of politicians.

As the courts resume for the new legal year, many analysts would wish to see a situation where judges will expeditiously determine cases before them. Currently, it is believed that it takes over 10 to 15 years for a case to go from the High Court to the Supreme Court.

Apart from political cases that are often treated with utmost dispatch from the High Court to the Supreme Court, other cases such as criminal, commercial and other civil matters take up to a minimum of 10 years to get to the apex court and be concluded.

Checks revealed that while it takes four to six years to conclude a case at the High Courts whether at the state or federal level, it takes almost the same number of years for the same case to go through the Court of Appeal upon appeal. At the Supreme Court, it could take far up to seven to 10 years.

To quicken justice delivery and reduce the pressure on the justices of the Court of Appeal in the country, a lot of lawyers have called for the subdivision of courtrooms at the Federal High Court particularly in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt where there are more cases into: Political, criminal, business/commercial, probate and land as it is done at the Lagos State High Court. They believe that this would enable each of these subdivided courtrooms to know the cases to hear and handle them with dispatch.

In Lagos, analysts have also called for an increase in the number of courtrooms at

the Court of Appeal from the two that are currently sitting to four or five to cope with the volume of appeals emanating from the federal and state High Courts.

Therefore, as another legal year begins, they want judges to show Nigerians that they are not responsible for the slow and frustrating judicial proceedings in the country. They advised the judges to always stand up to counsel, especially those for the defendants who are in the habit of employing delay tricks to frustrate trials. For instance, a cursory look at the Federal High Court in Lagos showed that there are hundreds of cases filed over five and six years ago that are still at the preliminary stages. This, according to analysts, is one of the challenges facing the judiciary in Nigeria today. While some believe that most of these cases are stalled by frivolous applications mostly by the defendants in the suits, others put the blame on the judges who do not stand up against counsel who are in the habit of frustrating trials.

Sometimes, if it is not application to challenge the jurisdiction of the court, it is for stay of proceedings or other interlocutory applications. In some cases, it could even be an outright petition or complaint for the case to be transferred from a particular judge to another. All these are aimed at delaying or frustrating justice delivery and give the Nigerians judicial system a bad image and reputation.

For instance, it took over seven years to convict a former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Farouk Lawan of corruption due to the tactics of his lawyers some of which included series of petitions against the judges handling the case. Due to the tricks, the case went through five judges before judgment was finally delivered.

So, as the courts resume for a new legal year, many analysts would want to see a situation where judges would demonstrate to Nigerians that indeed it is possible to get quick justice in the country.

While some Nigerians have acknowledged the difficult environment and conditions under which some of the judges operate, including the poor condition of service and infrastructural facilities, they nevertheless want them not to be dissuaded to uphold truth and justice always.

Particularly worrisome are allegations of corruption which have destroyed the image of the third arm of government. It is taken for granted that in a society buffeted by corruption, a courageous, independent, unbiased and financially autonomous judiciary is a most needed to overcome.

Many have argued that sadly, Nigeria has not been particularly fortunate in its effort to evolve a functional democratic governance since 1999 that has been able to deliver a just society, principally because of the greed of its political class, and the attendant impunity accentuated by an ineffective judiciary. This has left a lot of analysts to wonder if the corruption-infested institution can actually purge the country of the malaise.

Two independent surveys on crime and corruption once conducted in the country revealed that the judiciary is being irretrievably destroyed by corruption. The survey shocked many Nigerians when it named the judiciary as one of the institutions where there is massive corruption. According to it, “Nigerian courts of law receive the biggest and highest bribes from citizens among all institutions in where corruption is rampant.”

Though the survey particularly revealed that bribery in the third arm of government was less frequent than in many other agencies and organisations, it however noted that most of the respondents admitted that they have paid the biggest bribes to the courts in huge transactions.

The survey also revealed that among public officials, police personnel were most frequently alleged to request for bribes, thus making criminal justice administration difficult.

Also, many analysts have argued that since corruption has been identified as one of the greatest problems confronting the country, the judiciary needs to play a critical role to eradicate it and not add to menace.

They believe that the general lack of courage in the Nigerian judiciary to deal with corruption frontally is responsible for the upsurge of the malaise.

This perhaps, is why the issue of corruption in the third arm of government took centre stage as Lagos State Judiciary marked the beginning of the 2021-2022 legal year. Both Christian and Islamic clerics looked Lagos judicial officers straight in the face and reminded them of the consequences of a corrupt justice system.

At the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, Lagos, Bishop Akin Atere admonished judges and lawyers to be just in all their dealings and to shun corrupt practices while interpreting the law.

Atere, the Lord Bishop of Awori Anglican Diocese, in a sermon titled: “The Joy of the Lord is Our Strength”, said the soul of Nigeria is in the hands of the judges because they determine almost all the key affairs of the nation. Quoting Nehemiah 8: 9-12, the Bishop said there is going to be God’s judgment for all insincerity, perversion of justice and for all the vices in the Bench and Bar. Bishop Atere also decried some of the corrupt practices of lawyers which has clogged the wheel of justice in the country.

At the Islamic service, Associate Professor of Islamic Studies, Lagos State University (LASU), Dr. Ustadh Kabir Paramọlẹ, who spoke on the topic “Essence of Effective Administration of Justice ìn Nigeria” at the Central Mosque, Lagos stated that it would bẹ difficult for the country to move forward without Justice.

Paramọlẹ admonished judges to have the fear of Allah and deliver justice with fairness.

“Those of you who are just and fair when delivering justice, on the day of resurrection, you shall ee the face of Almighty Allah”, he said.

At a time the country is seriously yearning for foreign investments, many Nigerians want the judiciary to sit up and assist the government by fast-tracking justice delivery and embarking on confidence-building with the required zeal.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER OCTOBER 3, 2021

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CICERO/REPORT

VAT: Northern Govs’ Subtle Blackmail over Power Rotation With the apparent use of rotation of power by the northern governors to blackmail their southern colleagues over their position on Value AddedTax, Iyobosa Uwugiaren writes that the ongoing debate should be an opportunity for the restructuring of Nigeria along true federalism to enthrone fairness, equity, justice and rule of law, instead of politics of ethnic domination and blackmail

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hose who knew about the agenda of the recent meeting of the Northern Governors’ Forum said the meeting was urgently convened to respond to two burning issues: The statement by the Southern Governors’ Forum that the presidency must go to the South in 2023, and the ongoing national debate/legal process on the collection of the Value Added Tax (VAT).

The northern governors, emirs and other leaders of the region hid under their continuous efforts to address the challenges bedevilling the embattled region to convey their brash and punchy messages.

True, at end of the emergency meeting at the Council Chamber of Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna, the forum said that the southern governors’ position that the presidency must go to the South is “quite contradictory’’ with the provision of the constitution, and that the judgment of the Federal High Court calls to question the constitutionality of VAT. “The forum observed that some northern states governors had earlier expressed views for a power-shift to three geo-political zone in the South with a view to promoting unity and peace in the nation. Notwithstanding their comments, the forum unanimously condemns the statement by the Southern Governors’ Forum that the presidency must go to the South.

“The statement is quite contradictory with the provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999) as amended - that the elected President shall: Score the majority votes; score at least 25 per cent of the votes cast in two-third states of the federation. In the case of run-up simple majority wins the election,’ the forum stated in its communique read by Governor Simon Bako Lalong of Plateau State.

Responding to the controversy enveloping the collection of VAT, Lalong who doubles as Chairman, Northern States Governors’ Forum, claimed that the judgment of the Federal high Court calls to question the constitutionality of VAT, withholding tax, education tax, Niger Delta Development Commission, National Information Technology Development Agency, 13 per cent Derivation, National Economic Development Council and many others being levied and collected by the federal government through the Federal Inlands Revenue Service (FIRS).

The forum claimed that VAT is being confused by the Lagos and Rivers states as a sales tax, saying that if every state enacts its own VAT law, multiple taxations will result in increases of prices of goods and services and collapse in interstate trade.

The argument of the northern governors is that VAT is not a production tax like excise, but a terminal tax, which is paid by the ultimate consumer. The forum, however, said that until the Supreme Court pronounces judgement on the substantive matter between Rivers State and the federal government, the matter is sub judice.

Before the meeting, the Northern Elders’ Forum (NEF) had also rejected the position of the southern governors that the 2023 presidency should be zoned to the southern part of the country, insisting that the presidency is a democratic office and not a rotational position.

In a statement by its Director of Publicity and Advocacy, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, the self-styled elders said that the North would not be threatened, intimidated or blackmailed into giving up its right to a democratic office, saying the region should not be compelled to give up a democratically elected office.

Indeed, the positions of both the northern and the southern governors have generated hash and rash comments in the past few days.

While some legal experts said that the northern governors were right in their position – within the context of law, many believe that what is at stake in the current political discuss is a political compromise that is urgently needed to douse political tension – arising from the nepotism that has dominated the socio-political and economic policies, as well as programmes of President Muhammadu Buhariled government in the past six years.

The argument is that if the political elite want a country where everyone will feel a sense of belonging, the political arrangements have to be fair and just to save the country’s fragile unity Other ethnic groups have accused the North of playing with the unity of the country.

A prominent leader of one of the minority tribes in the Middle Belt has argued that the ancestry of some of the northern leaders stoking fire in the country by their utterances could be traced to Chad, Niger, Cameroon and Mauritania.

“So, they have other homes where they will relocate to when Nigeria starts burning. That is their Plan B. They are not true Nigerians. Other true Nigerians have no other country of their own to run to in the event of crisis,” he said on condition of anonymity.

On his part, the Leader of Pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, has faulted the position of the northern governors, stating that “they don’t want us to be together.

“I am not surprised. If they have to continue to rule forever, that means there is no Nigeria. They want to continue to rule us. They are

Cross-section of Northern governors pushing us out of the Nigerian federation. It means that they don’t want us to be together and we cannot to be underdogs.

“We don’t accept their rule forever. The basis of staying together is not there. We won’t accept to be in a Nigeria where you would dominate us”, he stated emotionally in an interview with Arise News recently.

Also responding to the vexed issues, Mr. Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN), has also picked holes in the position of the northern governors that their Southern counterparts did not make a valid request for the presidency to go to the South in 2023.

“The constitution cannot be read piece-meal. It must be seen as a whole. The section quoted by the governors relates to how to win election, and choosing and agreeing on candidate. Drafters of the constitution envisaged a situation when a section of the country may want to dominate others and provided for provisions against it’,’ the senior lawyer stated.

His argument is Section 14 (3) forbids domination of political space or occupation of office to the detriment of others; and promotes national cohesion, loyalty to the country and spread of offices, including the presidency.

Adegboruwa explained that if the north has been in power since 2015 and after exhausting eight years, the constitution expects the South to produce the next president.

His submission: “Zoning is lawful and constitutional. And there is precedent. In 2006, they (Northern governors) made similar demand for power shift, if they check their records.’

For the pan-Igbo socio-political organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the resolution of the northern governors portends a depressing future for the country with precarious omens.

The apex Igbo body wondered why the North is undisturbed that Nigeria is fast collapsing under its leadership.

“Let it be made abundantly clear that if presidency is a panacea to people’s problems, the North would have become the Netherlands of Africa. This is because the North had Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Yakubu Gowon, Murtala Mohammed, Shehu Shagari, Muhammadu Buhari, Ibrahim Babangida, Sani Abacha, Abdulsalam Abubakar, Musa Yar’Adua, and Muhammadu Buhari, yet the problems of the North are on the increase,” Ohanaeze declared.

Ohanaeze said from the Obasanjo presidency to the Jonathan presidency, the South consistently honoured the principle of power shift that culminated in the Buhari presidency.

The group added: “Therefore, the least that is expected from the North is a show of profound gratitude to the entire South for their large heart, equanimity and sportsmanship.

“Furthermore, it is in the interest of every Nigerian that there should be a paradigm shift to governance techniques. Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide unequivocally stands with the 17 southern governors and any black leg among them will incur the wrath of history.’

The Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has also described the opposition of the northern governors to the call for power shift to

the south and states’ collection of VAT as irresponsible.

“Northern governors’ opposition to power shift to the South is most ridiculous, cowardly and irresponsible. Their opinion on the issue of the southern presidency is preposterous and parochial; they have enjoyed massive support from the South for President Muhammadu Buhari to attain power,’ PANDEF’S National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Ken Robinson stated.

On the issue of VAT, PANDEF said it wholly supported the position of Rivers, Lagos and the southern governors that states should collect VAT. On its part, the Middle Belt Forum said that the core North had no moral right to contest the 2023 presidential election at the end of the tenure of President Buhari. The president of the group, Dr. Bitrus Pogu, said the North was wrong to plan jettisoning power shift after having its turn in power.

According to him, “We in the Middle Belt stand for power shift; it should be among three zones: that is North, South and Middle Belt, not just between North and South. We in the Middle Belt have severed ourselves from the core North. For the sake of the unity of Nigeria, power cannot remain in the North under any guise in 2023.

“It is wrong for the North to rule back-to-back. Unless they have something they want to hide and are afraid of power leaving the North, there is no justification for the North to say power shift is unconstitutional.’

On VAT, Pogu declared that the matter is in court, arguing that the court will determine its outcome.

“It is a signal to those who are destroying beer through Hisbah, that they cannot eat from the proceeds of alcohol and then be destroying the product. It is unfortunate that it is the same North that is clamouring for VAT money. Let us be sincere with ourselves and call a spade a spade; the court will determine the outcome of VAT,” Pogu explained.

Many senior lawyers described the position of the Northern Governors’ Forum against states’ collection of VAT as a blackmail tool for power rotation.

The main issue before the court on VAT, is whether under the 1999 Constitution the National Assembly has powers to make laws on VAT to enable the FIRS to centrally collect VAT. If the different competent courts of law have held that the National Assembly lacked power to make laws on VAT, the focus should be on how to empower the states to collect the taxes.

In other words, claiming that it would be easier to be centrally collected as canvassed by the Northern Governors’ Forum, against constitutional provisions, will not augur well for true federalism.

Therefore, restructuring Nigeria along true federalism - where fairness, equity, justices and rule of law will reign should be a collective effort, rather than any subtle blackmail for ethnic domination.

However, Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir el-Rufai’s clarification that his colleagues never opposed to the presidency going to the South in 2023, but were only against the language used by their southern colleagues, is reassuring in the ongoing conversation.

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CICERO/REPORT

Has Kalu Walked Away ?

The courts have often held that they are not Father Christmas and as such, cannot grant what a litigant did not ask for. Vanessa Obioha reports that this was not the case with the trial of a former Abia State governor, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, who was last Wednesday allowed to benefit from an appeal he did not file

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A Federal High Court in Abuja last Wednesday surprised many Nigerians when it said former Abia State Governor, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu and his firm, Slok Nigeria Limited, cannot be re-tried over their alleged involvement in N7.1 billion fraud while he served as governor.

Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a judgment held that since Kalu and his firm were not mentioned in the judgment of the Supreme Court, which voided their earlier conviction and sentencing and ordered a retrial, the judgment could not be applied to them.

He held that it was only the former governor’s co-accused, a former Account Director in Abia State Government House, Mr. Ude Jones Udeogu, named in the Supreme Court judgment, that could be re-tried as directed by the apex court.

The judge rejected the prosecution’s argument that having benefited from the judgment of the Supreme Court, the order for retrial should also apply to them.

After 12 years of trial, Kalu, his company, Slok Nigeria Limited and Udeogo were on December 5, 2019, convicted and sentenced by Justice Idris who sat at the Federal High Court in Lagos for N7.2 billion fraud and money laundering.

They were all arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a 39-count charge. While Kalu and his company were found guilty on all the 39 counts and sentenced to 12 years imprisonment, Udeogo was convicted on 34 counts and sentenced to 10 years imprisonment.

But before their conviction, Udeogu in a well-orchestrated plan, filed an appeal to challenge the conviction. His lawyers argued that Justice Idris, who had also earlier dismissed his no-case submission, lacked the powers to hear the case because he had been elevated to the Appeal Court and ought not to hear the case in the first place.

While the Court of Appeal dismissed his appeal, he was lucky at the Supreme Court, which in a unanimous judgment quashed his conviction and sentence.

The seven-man panel of the apex court justices led by Justice Bode RhodesVivour, struck down Section 396(7) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), declaring it illegal and unconstitutional.

Justice Ejembi Eko, who read the lead judgment, declared that the conviction of the appellant was null and void, explaining that since Justice Idris had already been appointed a judge of the Court of Appeal, it was improper for him to hear the case.

The jurist held that a judge of the Court of Appeal could not operate as a judge of the Federal High Court at the same time. He therefore, ordered the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court to reassign the case to another judge for a trial.

As soon as the Supreme Court delivered the judgment and Udeogo freed, Kalu and his firm who were not appellants in the appeal when the apex court gave the judgment, later tendered the verdict before the Federal High Court Lagos and the court applied the judgment to them and ordered that they also should be released from prison.

But when the prosecuting agency, the EFCC, reapplied for a retrial of the case as directed by the Supreme Court, Kalu and his firm dragged the anti-graft agency

Bawa

Kalu

before a Federal High Court in Lagos, challenging the application for retrial.

They argued among others that a retrial would subject him to double jeopardy.

During the hearing of the case before Justice Mohammed Liman, Kalu’s lawyer, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), sought the release of his client from custody.

“Our application is brought pursuant to Section 159 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act. This is a fallout of the Supreme Court decision delivered on the 8th of May.” Responding, EFCC’s counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), said the anti-graft agency would not oppose Fagbemi’s application “in principle.”

“But we are also urging the court that the order made by the Supreme Court for trial de novo should be complied with by all parties; so that Your Lordship will give us a date when arraignment will be done. We want the trial to go on, losing more time will be dangerous for us,” Jacobs reportedly added.

In his ruling, Justice Liman set aside the trial, conviction and prison sentence on Kalu. He also squashed Justice Mohammed Idris’ verdict on Slok Nigeria Limited.

Justice Liman commended the EFCC prosecutor for his “practical approach” to the case by choosing not to oppose the application, thereby saving the court time and the rigour of going to trial.

He directed that steps should be taken for the commencement of a fresh trial.

Justice Ekwo’s last week’s verdict setting Kalu free has therefore raised

questions with many observers wondering why the judge held that since Kalu and his firm were not mentioned in the judgment of the Supreme Court, which voided their conviction and sentencing and ordered a retrial, the judgment could not be applied to them.

They also wondered what the former governor tendered before the Federal High Court to secure his release from prison.

Those who spoke to THISDAY faulted the judge for saying that the Supreme Court order on Udeogu was explicit, that the case file be returned to the Chief Judge for assignment to another judge and that no order was made that the case file of the former governor be returned to the chief judge for assignment to another judge.

How come Kalu tendered the same judgment in court, upon which he was released from prison?

“I am just shocked that a judge could rule that the Supreme Court order on Udeogu was explicit, and that the case file be returned to the Chief Judge for assignment to another judge and that no order was made that the case file of the former governor be returned to the chief judge for assignment to another judge.

“Was it not the same Supreme Court judgment that Kalu and his lawyers tendered in court to secure his release from prison? On what basis was he released then? What kind of judgment is this? How could a high court upturn the judgment of the Supreme Court just like that?

“As a layman, I had always heard the axiom that the courts are no

Father Christmas and that they cannot grant what one did not ask for. In Kalu’s case, this is not the case. Though the High Court said his name was not in the appeal in the Supreme Court, yet he tendered the judgment of the apex court before the High Court upon which he was set free,” one of the observers who did not want his name in print, said.

Another observer who faulted Justice Ekwo’s judgment wondered why did he and Justice Liman did not ask Kalu to appeal Justice Idris’ judgment just like Udeogu did.

He wondered why Kalu should benefit from an appeal and judgment that did not concern him or in which he was not a party.

He described the judgment as laughable and annoying, calling on the EFCC to challenge the decision at the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.

“The whole case to me looks like is a sham. It is so funny. Everything looks orchestrated and carefully planned. I am just in a complete loss for words. You said the case did not concern Kalu because he was not a party in it, yet he did not only tender the judgment of the case in court, he benefitted from it. Is that logical?

How can the Supreme Court say a case should start afresh and the high court is saying Kalu cannot be retried?

Does it mean that when the case starts afresh only Udeogu’s name will be on the charge sheet? Who committed the offence in the first place? Was it not Kalu? The judgment is just laughable and annoying. We hope that the EFCC will challenge the judgment to anywhere”, he argued.

For now, all eyes are on the EFCC to see if it would allow the judgment to stand and let the former governor go scot-free or challenge it at the Court of Appeal.

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER OCTOBER 3, 2021

GAVEL

Editor: Ejiofor Alike SMS: 08066066268 email:ejiofor.alike@thisdaylive.com

Will IOCs Relocate Headquarters to Niger Delta?

Udora Orizu weighs in on the possibility of the international oil companies relocating their headquarters to the Niger Delta in line with the recent resolution of the Senate

Senate Chamber

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he Senate during plenary last week asked International Oil Companies (IOCs) to relocate their headquarters to the Niger Delta region to fast-track the host communities economic development.

The issue of oil companies relocating to the oil-producing Niger Delta region had been debated severally in the past with the companies not heeding to the calls.

Most of the IOCs in Nigeria have their headquarters in Lagos.

The Niger Delta people have long complained that while oil exploration activities have polluted their environment, the IOCs were paying taxes and other beneÀts to another state.

Aside indigenes, various stakeholders have also tasked these companies to move their base to the region. However, most multinational and Nigerian oil and gas companies operating in the Niger Delta have cited security concerns and restiveness in the region as their reasons for having their base in Lagos.

Since independence in 1960, insecurity has been a feature of the Nigerian state as conÁicts in diͿerent parts of the country have continued to make life insecure.

In the Niger Delta, violence has been the bane of the region where conÁicts have been the order of the day for over four decades.

The Niger Delta region, comprising of nine states, Abia, Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo and Rivers, is the region that produces oil and the lifeline of the Nigerian economy.

However, the discovery of oil in the region, which was expected to improve the lot of the host communities, has become a curse rather than a blessing because of oil exploration activities and its attendant hazards, such as air and water pollution.

The region is characterised by poverty and gross underdevelopment in the midst of plenty, due to environmental degradation which has aͿected the people’s agricultural means of livelihood.

Previous Directive by the Presidency for IOCs Relocation In March, 2017, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, directed the then Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, to engage with IOCs on the way forward over repeated calls for the relocation of their head o΀ces to the states where they produce oil.

Osibanjo, who was responding to the requests made by various interest groups in Akwa Ibom State during the town hall meeting he had with the people of the state, said the federal government was proposing a new vision for the people of oil producing communities.

House Members Reject Call for IOCs Relocation While Osinbajo’s directive was commended in the region, however the members of the 8th House of Representatives faced the heat following their rejection of a motion seeking to compel oil companies to relocate their operational and administrative o΀ces to the region.

In May 2017, few months after the Vice President’s directive, there was a rowdy session at the House of Representatives plenary as members rejected a motion to that eͿect sponsored by Hon. Goodluck Opiah (PDP, Imo).

In the motion, Opiah had prayed the House to mandate its Committee on Petroleum Resources to liaise with the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), the Ministries of Niger Delta AͿairs and Petroleum Resources to review policies and guidelines of oil companies regarding location of their administrative and operational o΀ces.

He contended that the practice of the companies siting their o΀ces outside their areas of operation is responsible for decisions that are “inconsiderate of the real eͿects of their exploratory and exploitative activities in those communities, such as pollution, environmental hazards, degradation and under development.”

Another House member, Hon. Kingsley Chinda (PDP, Rivers), while supporting

the motion, dismissed the argument that the Niger Delta was insecure hence the relocation of oil companies to other states outside the region as untenable.

On his part, Hon. Aminu Shehu Shagari (APC, Sokoto), in his contribution, described the motion as “ill-conceived and inconsiderate.”

According to him, “I think this motion is inconsiderate; it is ill-conceived and should be thrown out. I think the PIB should be allowed to take care of these oil companies.”

The current Speaker of the House of Representatives, who was House Majority Leader, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila (APC, Lagos) also threw his weight behind Shagari, warning that the House would be setting a bad precedence if it allowed the motion to sail through.

As the Majority Leader was speaking, he was intermittently interrupted by the Minority Leader, Hon. Leo Ogor (PDP, Delta) with several points of order.

The Minority Leader later argued that it was not good for the o΀ces of the oil companies to be sited outside the Niger Delta where they do business.

Ogor said: “I Ànd it totally unacceptable that the Majority Leader is standing in this chamber and saying we do not have the right to tell these companies to relocate operational o΀ces to the Niger Delta.

These companies pay taxes to other states while they operate in the Niger Delta.”

As members debated the motion, the Speaker, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, cautioned that, “there is no need for tempers to Áay. I am looking at it from the point of business.

I’m not joining the debate but can you tell me as a businessman where to locate my o΀ce?”

When the motion was eventually put to vote, those against it carried the day.

Also against the relocation, is the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Mr. Timipre Sylva, who said that the continued security concerns in the region may hinder the relocation of these Àrms.

Renewed Call by the Presidency and

Senate During a recent visit to Akwa Ibom state, Osinbajo said that the IOCs have no excuse not to relocate their administrative headquarters to Akwa Ibom State.

Osinbajo who disclosed this shortly after inaugurating a 21 storey Dakkada Towers in Uyo, on Friday, stated that the problem of o΀ce accommodation had been taken care of by the commissioning of the building.

Also berating the IOCs over their failure to relocate to host communities, Rivers State Governor, Mr. Nyesom Wike, described the IOCs excuse of insecurity as a conspiracy theory.

Wike who stated this at the commissioning of the Nigeria LiqueÀed Natural Gas (NLNG) corporate headquarters in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, pointed out that as long as the negative narrative aimed at perpetuating injustice was not addressed, the country’s corporate existence and stability would continue to be threatened.

The upper legislative chamber also last week added its voice to the call on the IOCs to relocate their operational headquarters as it mandated its committees on Petroleum Resources Upstream, Downstream Petroleum Sector and Gas to liaise with the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and the Presidential Implementation Committee on the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), to facilitate the relocation of oil and gas companies in Nigeria to their various operational bases in host communities to ensure smooth operations.

The Red Chamber arrived at the resolution after it considered a motion on the “Urgent need to encourage all multinational and Nigerian oil and gas companies to relocate to their operational bases.”

The motion was sponsored by Senator Albert Bassey Akpan (PDP, Akwa Ibom North East) and 23 other senators.

Bassey in his motion said, “The senate note with concern that multinational and Nigeria oil and gas companies have over the years been operating from their respective operational bases until militancy and insecurity in the host communities in the Niger Delta became the order of the day. Also notes that the reason proͿered by the oil and gas companies for not relocating to their host communities has always been due to insecurity and hostilities in the host communities. Aware that operating outside the host communities and operational base is the reason for the high cost of production which has been the bane of the country’s oil and gas industry, militating against maximum revenue from crude oil and gas sales to the federation account” Contributing, Senator Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo (Bayelsa East) said the agitations and problems within the oil and gas producing communities was as a result of their inability to easily access the management of the multinational companies to table complaints.

The Àrst time Senator stressed that the full beneÀts of the Petroleum Industry Act would not accrue to the Federal Government if eͿort isn’t made to have the multinational companies relocate to the host communities where oil and gas is produced.

Will the IOCs Heed the Senate’s Resolution?

These companies overtime had expressed fears of insecurity, as their reason for not relocating to the Niger Delta region. With the worsening security situation in the country, the possibility of them heeding Senate mandate has become increasingly di΀cult. Also, as Dogara had pointed out, nobody would tell a businessman where to site his o΀ce. It is only by creating an enabling business environment that businesses can be attracted to a particular area and not by threats and resolutions. So, it is not yet certain how the Senate can enforce their resolution.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER OCTOBER 3, 2021

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with ChidiAmuta e-mail:chidi.amuta@gmail.com

ENGAGEMENTS

Beyond the Politics of Discord Chidi Amuta

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he ultimate legacy of this divisive era is now on full display. Governors of the 36 states of the federation have fanned out into two rival formations with clashing rhetoric and war like posturing. Governors of the Southern States versus governors of the Northern States in open verbal confrontation to the amazement of a bewildered citizenry. This is the shorthand for what may become the political legacy of the Buhari presidency. The predictable geo political divide is irrespective of party affiliation, an indication that our parties do not represent any broad based national belief systems. They are mere acronyms of electoral convenience.

Of course historical and cultural bi- polarity lies ingrained at the backdrop of our nation but never before has it been so weaponized as to become the basis of hostile political grandstanding among blocs of governors. Now, however, the fractious schism of the country into potentially hostile camps has degenerated into a menacing reality that ought to frighten us all. It is made frightening because it is coming in the midst of all manner of separatist pressures.

Conclaves of Southern and Northern governors are not in themselves a bad political development.

Political leaders with identical interests are free to meet periodically to articulate their common concerns or canvass their common interests.This is a huge diverse federation with plenty of issues, benefits and headaches to share among those who decide for us. Looking back, meetings of governors of the northern states have been an everfrequentoccurrenceinourpoliticallandscape.

Similarly, occasional meetings of the governors of the South West, South South and South East have similarly occurred more sporadically in the past depending on the urgency of the concern on the table.

However,thealignmentshaverecentlytendedto ossify into Northern and Southern blocs triggered mostly by the pattern of division activated by Mr. Buhari’s politics. It needs to be clearly stated that it is literally the presidency in Abuja that has dictated the agenda of the conflicting regional meetings of governors. The governors are battling over open cattle grazing because the president insists on ancient cattle routes or the establishment of cattle colonies all over the country.The governors have seized the initiative on security of life and property because someone allowed the influx of hordes of militant herdsmen and let them loose on the entire country. The governors are dueling over security and establishing paramilitary outfits because the commander in chief has serially failed to do his duty. Similarly, governors are now arguing over internally generated revenue because the federal governmenthasrunthenationaltreasuryaground and insists on hijacking VAT proceeds to meet its cash obligations to cash strapped states. A vocal politicalfactioninournorthernhemispherebelieves that Mr. Buhari has squandered the northern slot of the presidency by impoverishing and brutalizing the region. For that reason, some northern governors are insisting that the rotational convention of presidential succession no longer holds water.

In response to the signals from Abuja, therefore, the rival regional blocs of governors have taken sides.The Southern governors do not want cattle roaming and grazing in their farmlands, highways and private spaces. Most of them have gone ahead toenactstatelegislationstobackuptheprohibition of open grazing. Implicit in that is a stiff opposition to the free roaming of armed herder criminals aroundthecountry.OnthematterofVATcollection, the southern governors support the legal initiatives of Rivers and Lagos states challenging the federalmonopolyofVATcollectionanddisposition.

Similarly, the southern governors have recently added a political position to their cocktail of desires.

They insist that the next president of the federation must come from the southern half of the country in compliance with the extant convention freely adopted by successive political parties.

In direct opposition, the Northern Governors have recently met in Kaduna to assert counter claims. In the new politics of discord, the positions of the northern governors read more like the angry retorts of quarrelsome co- wives. The northern governorswantthefederalgovernmenttocontinue collecting VAT and disposing of the proceeds in line with existing rules. On the movement of cattle

Akeredolu and open grazing, northern governors are somewhatdivided.Themoreentrepreneurial minded among them see the necessity for modernization of cattle breeding and the wisdom of ranching. A few want the old pastoral herding to continue.

The more trenchant position of most of the northern governors is on the matter of which zone produces Mr. Buhari’s successor.

They insist that the choice of who becomes president is a constitutional matter which is bestdecidedbyadherencetothestipulations of the constitution. On this, it would seem that the grouse of the northern governors is the phrasing of their southern colleagues’ rather militant insistence on converting a convention into an entitlement.

Of all the issues in contention between the two blocs of governors, there is none that is novel.The first two, cattle grazing and collection and disposition ofVAT are simple straightforward matters of national security and the economic realities of true federalism.

Herds of cattle and their handlers have been part of the Nigerian landscape for as long as we can remember. Their nuisance presence on highways, city roads, private farms and gardens never led to such blood lettingandviolentclashes.Theintensification of farmers and herders clashes to the degree we are witnessing today is a development of thelastfiveyears.Theemergenceofso-called Fulani herdsmen as active participants in a new national culture of armed criminality is what has introduced the politicization of cattle and their movement.

A perceived ‘cattle imperialism’ has emerged as an aspect of our political power struggles. Coming in the new context of jihadist terrorism, herdsmen criminality and violence in parts of the south has come clothedinhintsofanislamizationagendaand a Fulani expansionism.The cattle matter is a matterofeconomicenlightenment.Ranching as a business proposition as against open grazing is the modern route to go. It will yield healthier cattle, better returns on investment and more modern animal agriculture. We will have more meat and cattle owners will become wealthier. It will get violent herders outofthewayandrestorepeaceinfarmlands and troubled states.

TheVAT palaver is a slightly different thing.

It touches on the tax obligations of citizens as ultimate consumers of goods and services.

In most jurisdictions, sales or consumption tax is ordinarily a state tax. It ought to be

charged and collected by the immediate jurisdiction of the transaction. The existing federalcollectionanddispositionoftheVATis inherently faulty.This abnormality has been challenged previously by the Lagos state governmentundertheObasanjoadministration.The dispute may once again end up at the Supreme Court.

There is something awkward about federal appropriation and redistribution of the proceeds of a state based consumption tax.

Under this arrangement, states like Lagos and Rivers that collect huge troves of VAT end up subsidizing states that collect little or no VAT. The inherent subsidy in that arrangement is part of the abnormality of the present federal system. It is better for the richer states to collect and keep their VAT revenues which they could invest for profit in the poorer states to generate employment and help grow the economies of those states.The mobility of capital among states is a superior strategy than the distribution of poverty in a subsidy state.

The political trouble of presidential succession is the more consequential matter.

Fromthetimeofindependencetothevarious military dispensations and the inception of the various presidential constitutions, it has been an unquestioned convention of Nigerian power politics at the apex to rotate incumbency between the north and the south,betweenChristiansandMuslims.Even the various military dispensations adopted the principle of zoning and balance of power as strategically axiomatic.

Curiously, the history of constitution making in Nigeria has left a permanent puzzle. The abiding question remains why our constitution makers have failed to enshrine the principle of zoning into our constitutions in spite of its historical and strategic imperative. Our geo political divide is permanent. Our dual cultural heritage is also permanent. Church and Mosque are permanent emblems of our abiding pillars of belief as a nation. Nothing says that a secular republican constitution should not contain clauses that take due cognizance of the cultural, historical and geo strategic imperatives of a nation.

A constitution that remains blind to this imperative is likely to continue to be a source of crisis and conflict in the hands of ambitious politicians.Therefore, the more urgent task of the amendment of the 1999 constitution is to enshrine the principle of zoning and

rotation of apex political power in the constitution.

We cojld insert transitional clauses that maintains thezoningprincipleuptothepointwhereoneman one vote in an enlightened democracy becomes a reality. This ought to be done in a manner that leaves no room for the current trafficking in geo political blackmail. For now, the principle of zoning and rotation of the presidential mantle between north and south remains an article of faith within political parties.

However, in the confrontational posturing between Northern and Southern political leaders on presidential zoning, I see transactional politics in action. The northern political elite understand that the logic of national history points inevitably to the wisdom of a southern successor to Mr. Buhari.

I presume they also understand that the decision of voters on whom to vote for is no longer a simple north versus south choice.The ultra conservative Northern Elders Forum(NEF) may not yet have come to terms with the changed realities of the demographics of today’s north. The northern monolith is gone and is not coming back any time soon. The complex ethno national character of what used to be northern monlith is increasingly assuming a political consciousness of its own.The nationalities and micro nationalities domiciled in the zone have come to a new awakening of their political and economic rights. They are not likely to vote as a blind bloc guided by unquestioned faith anymore.

On their part, I assume the southern politicians fully understand that they are confronted with a similar dilemma.Voters now ask questions beyond the geo political origins of candidates. Party loyalty, local peculiarities and micro national interests are beginning to play a role in the choices that voters make at the polls. But the southern politicians also realize that ultimately in a democracy, it is the votes that determine who wins. And the current demographic configuration of the country places a huge voter population in a number of northern states. But that demographic quantum has to be modulated by the geographical spread requirement of the present constitution.That is the catch.

It is safer to assume that the current posturing by politicians on both sides is clearly a negotiating strategy.The idea is perhaps to deploy threats and grand standing to the point where compromise becomes a logical recourse.The aim is to congregate around a mutually acceptable compromise president that could be a southerner in origins but a pliable handyman of northern hegemonic interests. That is the classic template of Nigerian power politics at the top. It has so far yielded a succession of weakened and fundamentally castrated presidents. That is mostly why Nigeria has remained static because our leaders are hostages of the deals and compromises that bring them into office largely devoid if power.

The new rival bi-polar formation of the governors has merely formalized the new reality of a nation deliberately divided by bad politics.

Ordinarily, politicians are paid to play politics.

They exploit whatever differences that can confer advantages to them. Sharp partisan differences can even be tools for hammering out comprises and pressing advantages. But what is happening in Nigeria today is beyond politics as a game.

In a time of national crisis and dangerous insecurity, political bad behavior undermines and threatens more than the game of politics.

It touches the foundation of nation being.

The north-south politics of our governors is feeding on a season of ill wind. The bonds of fraternity that holds Nigerians together is badly eroded. Mutual suspicion and antagonism has replaced the ties of trust, mutual respect and fellow feeling. Hate speech and incendiary rhetoric has replaced the normal exchange of communal living. Even in barbers’ shops and beer parlors, the normal banter of fellowship has been replaced by name calling and ethnic profiling of a dangerous kind.

Now that our governors have resolved into two dueling factions, politics should now revert to its original intention. The pursuit of enlightened self interest compels our politicians to a common elementary realization. If there is no nation, all their political computations will come to nothing.We need a nation to pursue our discordant interests.The current multiple threats to our national continuation are a direct threat to the political class. It is therefore time to play the politics of national unity and collective survival.

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INTERNATIONAL PMB and Nigeria @ 61: Deepening Discord and Disunity and the Myths of Indivisibility of Nigeria

W

henever President Muhammadu Buhari (PMB) makes a speech and talks about non-negotiability of Nigeria’s unity or about the indivisibility of Nigeria, my mind always goes to the theory of indestructibility of an atom, being the smallest particle of a matter that forms a chemical element. When I also remember that what could not be destroyed at the ordinary level could be easily split with atomic fission at the advanced level, I always ask myself why PMB cannot sit down for once and think deeply about his frequently mentioned national unity not being negotiable and the country not being divisible.

To argue that national unity is not negotiable is an intellectual fallacy, an intellectual fraud, and at best, an expression of poverty of ideas. Who says Nigeria’s unity cannot be negotiated? Is it because the Constitution provides for it? If yes, who says that the provision cannot be reviewed? Is there any part of the Constitution that cannot be amended? If the law is written by human beings at a point in time, what prevents another set of people from reviewing the law at another time? Without any whiff of doubt, there is nothing like indivisibility of Nigeria. Indivisibility of Nigeria is at best a wish, a wishful thinking. Seeking national unity is an aspirational ideal that must be worked for and not one that is imposed by force.

What is terribly amazing is that PMB is preaching the sermon of settlement of grievances without shedding blood, but at the same time he is adopting policy measures that subjugate ethnic communities to Fulani rule. There were several public complaints against his political appointments, but PMB never bothered. PMB cannot be deepening national discord and disunity while expecting national unity as a resultant. Boko Haram has been internationally adjudged as a very notorious terrorist group. The group is opposed to Nigeria and her constitution.

It is recklessly killing people, kidnapping and maiming. When members of the group are captured, Nigerians are told that they have surrendered, and therefore have been granted amnesty.

Very ridiculous. Names of people reportedly funding terrorism in Nigeria are given but the PMB administration refused to talk about it, only to be announcing during his Nigeria @ 61 speech that one member of the National Assembly is funding Sunday Igboho and Nnamdi Kanu activities. PMB is acting contrarily to what he openly confesses. This is what makes PMB’s Nigeria @ 61 speech most unfortunate. PMB must therefore learn how to make haste slowly in enforcing national unity by force.

Dynamics of Discord and Disunity PMB made several rhetorical policy statements in his speech.

For instance, he vowed to arrest, prosecute all those inciting violence in words and actions. What the people are waiting for is not the vow but its translation into manifest action. PMB said the past 18 months in the country were particularly most difficult.

COVID-19 pandemic is one of the reasons for the difficult times.

If the past 18 months had been difficult, it cannot be because of COVID-19 pandemic, insurgency, armed banditry but primarily because of PMB’s attitudinal disposition towards national questions. Therefore, it is argued here, the 61st anniversary celebration of Nigeria’s independence was done amidst much regret, unhappiness and aggravated suspicion. The Nigerian land is politically filled with discord and disunity. At the time of independence in 1960, Nigeria was the cynosure of all eyes in the world. Nigeria had much respect. Nigeria not only spoke authoritatively on behalf of Africa, but also formulated exceptions to the principle of non-intervention in the domestic affairs of another. And true enough, Nigeria’s leadership of the African and Black people of the world was largely felt at the level of the anti-apartheid struggle. Nigeria served as chairman of the UN Committee Against Apartheid. In fact, not only did the whole world expect exemplary leadership, the-Alhaji-Tafawa-Balewa administration also made Nigeria’s readiness to provide such leadership roles clear to the world.

Most unfortunately, however, Nigeria at 61 in 2021 has a different story of regrets, unhappiness and deepening suspicions.

Opinion is shared on whether in 61 years of sovereign existence Nigeria should be in her current situation of non-development.

Proponents of many successful areas abound and so are the proponents of failure. The position of this column is that Nigerians, in their private capacity, based on their dint of hard work, have been excelling worldwide, and by so doing, they bring honour and dignity to the whole country. As for corporate Nigeria, the story is that of retrogression right from 1960. The retrogression

VIE INTERNATIONALE with

Bola A. Akinterinwa Telephone : 0807-688-2846

e-mail: bolyttag@yahoo.com

Buhari began with the introduction of Decree 34 by the General Aguiyi Ironsi regime in 1966. The decree put an end to regionalism and introduced unitary system of government. General Yakubu Gowon deepened the problem by restructuring the 4-regional system into 12 States. Since then, agitation for restructuring, redefinition of the bases of national unity, re-writing of a new constitution, etc., have been raised, but all to no avail.

In this regard, can it be rightly argued that Nigeria which was more united in 1960 but currently challenged by national discord, disunity and critical threats of national disintegration has succeeded in 2021? Far from it. Difficult interpersonal relationships, unnecessary animosity, especially between southerners and Fulani are the current order of the day. It is therefore argued here that the future of Nigeria as a united and vibrant country is not bright because the major dynamic of the national discord and disunity is not being addressed. For as long as the main dynamic is allowed to define policies, a bitter lesson cannot but await national unity.

Put differently, post-independence inter-ethnic relations were largely based on suspicions between the Fulani and other ethnic groups, particularly in the South. The suspicions are derived from various statements carelessly or otherwise made. For example, reference is made to the 1904 Usman Dan Fodio claim that Nigeria is the property of the Fulani and that the Fulani has the right to forcefully acquire the whole country.

There is also the statement that the Fulani are born to rule, that others are meant to serve as slaves. The dispute between Fulani herdsmen and local farmers has raised the issue of non-titled land in the South. The herders argue that no state government has land and that the herders can continue to openly graze their cattle.

Funnily enough, the herders are preaching lawlessness.

They cautiously ignore that every land is titled and that there is nothing like terra nullius anymore even in the entire system of international relations. Besides, moving from one’s state to go and relocate in another place requires the respect of the laws of the new place. In essence, the Fulani herders behave above the rule of law with the incredible support of Government. Without scintilla of exaggeration, Fulanisation and Islamisation agenda not only became a controversial public debate, but also pushed the agitation for self-determination to its crescendo. Under

If PMB believes the past 18 months have been most difficult times, it is argued here that the next 18 months may be that of harder times to come because of the issue of secession and self-determination which PMB does not appear to understand in terms of its implications in international relations. Whether or not the unity of Nigeria is negotiable, the truth is that Nigeria currently has the challenge of national cohesion, national unity, national understanding, and national survival. Based on the deepening crisis of boko haram insurgency and the revelations of the commanders of both the bandits and boko haramists that they will soon move their banditry and terrorism from their phase 1 in the rural areas to phase 2 in the municipalities in 2022 with a declaration of war, there is no disputing the likelihood of another Afghanization of terrorism in Nigeria. The agitation for secession and self-determination are potentially pointers to a new war in the making. The language understood by PMB is the use of force. The problem is the perception of PMB as the chief promoter of Fulanisation, Islamisation, and nepotism. Consequently, there is no amount of public appeal that can change the people if PMB is protecting the Fulani ethnic stock while asking other ethnic groups to show understanding of it. PMB must first show honesty of purpose

PMB, national unity was most threatened. PMB had no regards for the Federal Character Principle. He made nepotism his policy, and yet he has the effrontery to claim that he fought for national unity during the 1967-70 war. What he fought to unite is precisely what he is directly also undermining with his ethnic chauvinism, as reflected in his nepotistic policies. Some quick illustrations will do here.

Senator Rashidi Ladoja, a former Governor of Oyo State, showed many concerns in an interview, ‘we must discuss breaking up or keeping Nigeria,’ and granted to the Sunday Tribune of 26 September 2021 about how the Federal Government behaves in matters of insecurity. As narrated by Senator Ladoja, ‘I saw a video of the Akwa Ibom governor talking about how 18 people in military uniforms were arrested with 18 AK-47 and were handed over to the police, only for the police to release the suspects because of orders from above.’

How do we explain ‘orders from above’? Senator Ladoja wondered how the governor of a state talking loudly like that and accusing the Federal Government through the Inspector General of Police. If the Akwa Ibom governor had to come into the open to complain, it is believed that he must have been complaining to the authorities above, but to no avail. The perception of the criminal support being given to Fulani bandits prompted the Governor of Benue State to ask his people to arm themselves in self-defence. These are some of the issues that made the past 18 months very difficult in Nigeria And perhaps more disturbingly, Lt. General Theophilus Danjuma openly accused PMB that the Nigerian military are aiding and abetting boko haram insurgency against the good people of Nigeria. Dr. Goodluck Jonathan made it clear at a point in time that there were boko haram agents in his government. PMB is not seen to want to address the problem. Accusing fingers are pointed to PMB on some critical issues. First is his policy of nepotism, which is driven by a don’t care attitude, without any due regard to whatever complaints. The policy is managed in such a way that all the instruments of coercion are in the hands of one ethnic group, the Fulani.

Second is PMB’s policy of double standard. It is alleged that there is free movement in the North, but such freedom of movement is not allowed in the South. When such freedom is allowed, it is only to pave the way for the passage of Dangote cement trucks. Senator Ladoja put it this way: ‘there is free movement of people in the North. There is no free movement of people in the South, particularly in the South-West. The borders in the North are all open, those in the South are not, except the Seme border.

And when people make noise about opening of our borders, they opened it only for Dangote and BUA to export their cement.

Whereas most of the time, the cement is even cheaper in Benin Republic than in Nigeria. So, who is fooling who?’

PMB turned deafening ears to them. In fact, the antiFulanisation agenda underlies the Cold War between Northern Governors and Southern governors, on the one hand, and political activists in the North and the South, on the other. Statements

by Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, the spokesperson for the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) are quite infuriating. Northern and Southern governors traded in hostile words. However, how is the problem of secession and self-determination addressed?

Secession and Self-determination As regards secession is first a struggle. It is an aspiration, and it is always done by use of force, because no sovereign states ever want this territory to be dismembered. Consequently, every government that is challenged by threats of secession always fight back ruthlessly. Second secession can also be a situation of fait accompli, especially when the struggle for secession has succeeded. In this case secession implies the withdrawal of territory and sovereignty from part of an existing State to create a new state. Generally, secession is done by unilateral fiat. It is not considered as a right under international law outside of decolonization and situations of military occupation.

What is noteworthy about secession is that its proponents are not much bothered about legality. They simply believe that they have the right to live an independent life to the exclusion of others. On Friday, 1st October, the US President urged the Bosnian Serb leader to halt his secessionist rhetoric. This is to remind that secession is a constaisnt question in international relations. In fact, agitation for secession can last for decades and even centuries. The specific case of the Catalonians in Spain is a good illustration. For over 300 years they have been fighting for autonomy. The lessons for the PMB administration, Government can always start the war, but the Government may not know how and when it will end. Biafran agitation.

The agitation for sovereign autonomy in Yoruba Southwest is also interesting, but more complex. Unlike secession, which is not considered a right, self-determination is a right. It initially had a colonial foundation, in which case it was argued that all dependent territories and peoples were entitled to be free, entitled to define their future. Behaviourally, self-determination requires acting autonomously, that the autonomous action must be self-regulated, and that the people initiated or concerned respond ‘to events in a psychologically empowered manner’ and the person acted in a self-realizing manner.

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NEWS

News Editor: Gboyega Akinsanmi E-mail: gboyega.akinsanmi@thisdaylive.com,08152359253

COVID-19: Sirika Warns against Strike in Aviation Sector Chinedu Eze

As the air transport sector struggles to rise from the COVID-19 devastation, the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, has warned aviation labour unions against embarking on strike, pointing out that such action would jeopardise the efforts being made to revive the sector.

Speaking yesterday during the third national delegate conference of the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association (ATSSSAN), held in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, the minister, who was represented by the Commissioner of the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), Akin Olateru, said the serious challenge posed by COVID-19 demands that all stakeholders should work together to fashion out a viable pathway to a strong and healthy aviation industry that would offer everybody, including workers the desired benefits.

He said the forecast growth for the Nigeria air transport market was 174 per cent in the next 20 years, stressing that if met, the growth would support approximately $4.7 billion of GDP and over 555,000 jobs.

He regretted the impact of the COVID-19 in the aviation sector, which made air transport one of the major casualties of the pandemic.

Sirika noted that the pandemic left businesses, especially airlines sprawling in losses, pointing out that even at best of times, the aviation sector

was known for the low-profit margins.

Sirika stressed that the sector is in a period of recovery, insisting that this is not the time for threats and spate of industrial actions, which he argued would only further inhibit the growth of the industry.

“IATA records show that as of 2018, air transport in Nigeria supported 241,000 jobs with a gross value added to GDP of $1.7billion. The forecast growth for the Nigeria air transport market was 174 per cent in the next 20 years. If met, this would support approximately $4.7 billion of GDP and over 555,000 jobs.

“However, sadly and unpredictably, the pandemic hit, and aviation became one of the major casualties of COVID-19, which all but paralysed the world and its economies between 2020 and 2021.

“The serious challenge posed

by COVID-19 demands that all stakeholders work together to fashion out a viable pathway to a strong and healthy aviation industry that will offer everybody, including workers the desired dividends. The unions have a critical role to play in the growth and sustenance of the aviation industry, as their members constitute the majority of the workers who toil day and night to ensure the smooth running of the industry.

“It is agreed that unions exist to serve the interests of their members. However, in an industry that is known for

low margins, especially the airline sector where labour is one of the largest costs, lowering labour costs becomes very attractive and unions will always kick. Yet, the industry needs labour just as labour needs the industry.

“We are in a period of recovery; so, this is not the time for threats and spate of industrial actions which will only further inhibit the growth the industry so badly needs,”

he said.

Sirika also urged that government, employers, and labour must work together for the best interest of the aviation industry, noting that such measure would be what would guarantee job security and prosperity for stakeholders.

He said that in 2020, at the peak of the pandemic, the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) representing aviation and other transport

workers worldwide, had joined forces with the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which represents aviation employers, to chart a course for the future of aviation.

“We must all first work together to save aviation and keep the global supply chains going. Our unions and aviation management should prioritise collaborative dialogue to ensure the industry’s financial health and the consequent preserva-

tion and growth, which will eventually enable aviation employers to provide acceptable conditions of service to their workers.

“We shall continue to carry labour along in policies and strategic moves to reposition the industry. We also expect the unions to reciprocate this gesture with a bit more consideration and support in the best interest of the aviation sub-sector,” Sirika added.

WE’RE PROUD OF YOU . . .

L-R: Ondo State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN); his Lagos State counterpart, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and Afenifere Leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, at a church service held at St. James Anglican Church, Iperu-Remo, Ogun State… recently

Don’t Be Afraid of COVID-19, Adeboye Tells Church Members Gboyega Akinsanmi General Overseer, Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye yesterday urged the members of the Church not to be afraid of the COVID-19, pointing out that only people whose time had come would die of the pandemic as the Lord had said.

He encouraged the members of the RCCG not to be frightened by the pandemic because they would not die before their time according to God’s words, warning however that “don’t be afraid does not

mean be careless.”

He made these remarks Friday night during October Holy Ghost Service at the Redemption Camp, Km 46, Lagos Ibadan Expressway, Mowe, Ogun-State.

He explained how many people had bombarded him with questions about his stand on COVID-19 vaccination.

He said he declined to comment on the subject on the ground that it bordered on the issue of national interests.

According to him, only the President of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN)

or Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) should respond to such issues.

“I am a man under authority. So, I keep my mouth shut.

What I am saying now does not necessarily represent the view of CAN or PFN. It is just my view vis-à-vis RCCG. I am not talking to Nigeria, but to my children, who are members of the RCCG.” He held that safety “is of the Lord. It is of the mercy of the Lord that we are not consumed. If we are to go by what scientists said, we should by now be counting the

number of deaths in Nigeria in hundreds of thousands.

That is what the scientists projected then.

“But there is a God who answers prayers. When He told me on January 1, 2020 that the world would behave like a child in convulsion, I told you. When He said later the whole world would have a compulsory holiday, I did not know all the details then because we only know in part.

We only know what He tells us. God is not talkative.

“When it became clear that we were for very serious

trouble, scientists began to say what would happen to Africa now. But I cried to God. I reminded Him of the prayers of the elders. I also reminded Him that it is only God that can chase away flies for a cow that has no tail.”

Adeboye explained that he would only receive COVID-19 vaccine for the sake of the gospel, noting that he had never told his congregation not to be vaccinated.

“You have never heard that from me. Rather than live in fear or doubt, get vaccinated.

If you believe that getting vac-

cinated will put your mind at rest, then go ahead.

“Daddy, are you saying that you too could be vaccinated? If there are nations in the world that say that I cannot come to preach the gospel there because of vaccination, I will do anything for Jesus Christ.

“If vaccination or no vaccination is going to hinder me from doing the work God has called me to do, even if they ask me to be vaccinated 100 times, I will be vaccinated. So, don’t ever say that you heard from me that I said that you should not be vaccinated.”

Buhari Leaves for Addis Ababa Today to Attend PM’s Inauguration

Tinubu Meets Northern Lawmakers, Says He’s Undergoing Physiotherapy,

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Tinubu, has stated that he is healthy but only undergoing physiotherapy in London.

Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos State, disclosed this when the Northern Caucus of the House of Representatives led by the Deputy Speaker, Ahmed Wase visited him in London on the occasion of Nigeria’s 61 Independence day anniversary.

He, however, said he was undergoing physiotherapy,

President Muhammadu Buhari will tomorrow attend the inauguration of the Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, in Addis Ababa for a second five-year term in office.

This was contained in a statement Buhari’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina issued yesterday.

The statement said the president, who will depart Abuja for the Ethiopian capital today, will be accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama,

and Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ambassador Ahmed Rufai Abubakar.

Buhari is scheduled to deliver a goodwill message at the inauguration ceremony, after which he will attend a State Banquet in honour of visiting Heads of State and Government.

He is expected back in Abuja on Tuesday.

Prime Minister Ahmed secured another term in office following the victory of Ethiopia’s ruling Prosperity Party in the country’s parliamentary election of June 21.

Earlier in his congratulatory message to the Prime Minister, President Buhari had assured that Nigeria would continue to support the unity and territorial well-being of Ethiopia and all African states. ‘‘On behalf of the Nigerian people, I send you and the people of Ethiopia our well wishes for your courage and commitment to the democratic process and urge you to continue with the good policies of your government that endeared you to the people,’’ the president had said in the congratulatory message to the re-elected prime

which he described as “gruesome.”

Addressing the gathering, Tinubu who was dressed in kaftan and a red cap said, “Because of God and people like you, I am well. It is just the physiotherapy that is gruesome.”

Since his departure, Tinubu’s London home has become a Mecca of sorts as he has been visited by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari; Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila; Governors Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), Dapo Abiodun

(Ogun), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), and Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti).

His prolonged stay abroad has, however, drawn criticism from a section of Nigerians who believe he ought to have stayed in the country to receive treatment.

Reno Omokri, a former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, said should Tinubu become President in 2023, he would continue Buhari’s tradition of seeking treatment abroad at the expense of taxpayers.

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NEWSXTRA Nigeria May Cease to Exist Before 2030, Suswam Warns Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja A former Governor of Benue State, Senator Gabriel Suswam at the weekend warned that Nigeria might cease to exist by 2030 if critical stakeholders failed to agree on how to rescue it from the brink.

Suswam, currently representing Benue East in the Senate, therefore urged the leaders to pull the country back from the brink by ensuring that the next generation of leaders is properly guided.

He expressed this concern at the presentation of a book, “Mentoring in Academia and the Civil Service for Fraud Prevention in Nigeria” in Abuja, noting that many Nigerians now live “deficit” lives as a result of the country’s bad economy.

He said times “are becoming more difficult for Nigerians. While it is not clear when Nigerians will exit the current challenges, it is doubtful whether the country will exist in 10 years if the right thing is not done.

“Times are difficult. We have a lot of security issues. We have a lot of economic issues. These are issues that led pragmatic leaders such as Dankwambo to come in so that we’ll be able to get out of the woods. Where we are now is a very bad situation.

“We don’t know when we are going to get out of it, maybe until a new change changes the change. We have found ourselves in a situation where we need the necessary change from where we are today to another one,” he argued.

Suswam, who was the chief launcher at the event, stressed that all over the world mentoring is taken seriously and called on well-meaning politicians and professionals to spare sometime in guiding the next generation of Nigerian leaders.

“For most people, you know, these days, everything is in deficit.

Nigeria’s budget has consistently since 2015 been in a deficit. The same goes for individuals.

Over 20 Missing as Jetty Collapses in Rivers Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt No fewer than 20 persons have been reported missing as the jetty collapsed at Isaka Community in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State.

THISDAY gathered that the incident happened yesterday evening as passengers were struggling to get a boat from the community back to Port Harcourt.

It was gathered that there was a burial programme that attracted many people to the area and that the crowd was responsible for high patronage for ferry services.

It further gathered that over 80 people, who alighted from the ferry, stood on the jetty, thereby exerting pressure on the old, rickety facility.

As a result, according to the source, the jetty caved inside the river alongside all the passengers on it.

Mr. Isaac Walter, a resident of the area, who witnessed the incident narrated that many persons have not been found since the accident.

He noted that local divers in the area had emptied into the river and that many people have been rescued.

He narrated: “Today, we had a burial programme at Isaka and a lot of people were in attendance. On our way back people came to board vessels at the jetty.

“In that process, the jetty caved in and so many people fell into the river and they were not able to be rescued. Few of them were rescued easily. I was standing a bit away from the point that caved in.

“The jetty is an old jetty. It was during Komo’s period (as military administrator of the state) that they inaugurated that jetty. We have tried to get another jetty but we could not.

Logiscool Gives Coding Demo Lessons to Journalists As part of efforts to ensure that everyone - young and old - have better productive experiences and engagements with the digital space, especially leveraging it to creatively solve problems, the Logiscool has given coding demo lessons to 48 journalists in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The three photojournalists and 19 ICT journalists who participated explained that the skills garnered, especially in programming for solutionfocused applications, will make them more productive, creative, timely, and more in tune with the realities of the times.

The Logiscool, which trains kids and teenagers the basics and essence of programming and digital literacy, is an international digital literacy and coding school,

operating on five (5) continents already with over 130 schools.

Speaking on the initiative and the huge benefits Nigeria will accumulate with its innovative approach to education, Jasmina Marcikic, School Manager and Master Franchise Partner of Logiscool Nigeria, said: “We are committed to the importance of digital literacy and would like to raise awareness on the topic in Nigeria with the support of selected expert journalists.

“What we do for journalists is that you we offer a demo lesson for journalists them and their children in the frame of an exclusive open day. They get information on the world of digital literacy and the importance of programming, leveraging the power of coding.

“Mentoring is what political leaders should do to the younger ones. Nigeria is drifting and drifting very fast. If we don’t properly mentor the younger ones, of course, in the next 10 years, one wonders whether we will still have a country together.

So, mentoring is a subject and a topic that is very important in politics.

“In America, there are

conscious efforts at mentoring the younger generation. It is not just in politics, even in the service. Our civil service has diminished a lot in terms of quality. So, those are areas that we need mentoring so that our country can come back on track,” the lawmaker said.

Also at the presentation, Naiyeju who also underscored the need for mentoring,

stressed that there’s a lot of fraud going on in the society because societal ethos have been largely ignored.

He lamented that rather than call out fraudsters these days, society now hails those engaged in the vice, advising that hard work and diligence still pay.

“When a senator suddenly becomes rich, are you not the ones giving them traditional titles?

So, it’s everywhere. We need to get away from that era, starting from the youths,” he advised.

The book presentation committee was headed by former Governor of Gombe State, Dr. Ibrahim Dankwanbo, while a former Accountant General of the Federation (AGF) Dr. James Naiyeju and World Bank Consultant, Prof. Ishola Akintoye were members.

CELEBRATING EKITI@25 . . .

L-R: Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Aladesanmi III; Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi; Celebrant/ Chairman, Ekiti State Creation Committee, Chief Deji Fasuan; Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, and the CommissIoner for Education, Science and Technology, Dr. Olabimbe Aderiye, during the inauguration of Deji Fasuan Model College, in commemoration of Fasuan’s 90th birthday and 25th anniversary of Ekiti State, in Ado-Ekiti… Friday

CSOs Ask FG to Lift Ban on Food Importation to End Starvation Francis Sardauna in Katsina The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Katsina State yesterday called on the Federal Government to lift the ban on importation of food items to tackle what it termed soaring cost of foodstuffs in the country.

The coalition, also, admonished the federal government to complete the long-awaited Lambar Rimi Power Project in Katsina to curb blackout being

experienced as well as enhance effective and sufficient power supply in the state.

In a statement by its chairman, AbdurRahman Abdullahi yesterday, the coalition said the CSOs was miffed by the spate of poverty and hunger caused by unemployment and high cost of living which is making it cumbersome for most Nigerians to afford even two meals per day. Abdullahi explained that the ban on importation of rice

and other food items by the federal government had played a negative role in the current hike of foodstuffs across the country.

He reiterated that for a country of over 200 million people to be able to feed itself, the agricultural system must be largely mechanised by the government at all levels.

He said: “It is on this background the coalition calls on the federal government to reconsider its stand on the ban on food importation till when the country becomes

self-sufficient.

“The ban should be lifted, as an interim measure to bring down the soaring costs of foodstuffs. For a long time, the Lambar Rimi Power project in Katsina State has been an ongoing project.

“This project has taken longer than expected. The coalition called on the Federal Ministry of Power to expedite actions toward the completion of this project so it can serve the purpose it is meant for,” he explained.

Abiodun: I’m Committed to Prosperity of Our People James Sowole in Abeokuta

Ogun State Governor, Mr. Dapo Abiodun yesterday noted that he would continue to govern the state without being distracted by “naysayers whose only interest are myopic and self-serving”.

Abiodun, equally, reiterated that he would continue to discharge the mandate given to him by the people and always be guided by the fear of God, to ensure a free, fair, and just society.

Abiodun gave this declaration

while speaking at the 2021 Odun Omo Olowu, held in Abeokuta, the state capital.

He said the welfare and prosperity of the Ogun people irrespective of age, gender, religious or political affiliation or their geographical location, will always be of topmost priority to his administration.

Abiodun said: “This will be pursued and achieved through transparent public finance management, which provides an atmosphere that guarantees a more prosperous life for the people.

“We believe that people should not pull down the house simply on account of individual or group interest that may not be in alignment with general and overall interest of the state.

“We are amenable and receptive to robust engagement in order to ensure that the greater majority of our people and state prosper. That is why we have always had an inclusive approach to governance because what concerns one should concern all.

“Let me reiterate that we shall continue to uphold all the

tenets of good governance by being accountable, transparent, responsive, consensus-oriented, inclusive, participatory, just, fair and equitable.

“We appreciate the fact that no government has all the necessary funds it requires for the development of the society and its people.

“For this reason, we will continue to welcome and appreciate sincere contributions and recommendations that will help develop our state and improve the socio-economic life of our dear people.”

Abductors Free Air Force Chief, AVM Smith Five days after his kidnap at Langbasa area of Lagos, retired Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Sikiru Smith (rtd), has regained freedom, THISDAY has learnt.

Smith was rescued from the waterside at Langbasa where his kidnappers abandoned him around 4a.m. yesterday by police operatives.

It was learnt that the hooded gunmen who kidnapped the

former Chief of Logistics of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) whisked him away in a boat to an unknown destination.

To ensure his safe rescue, the Inspector General of Police (IG), Alkali Usman, deployed detachments of marine police operatives and special squads from Abuja to assist the Lagos Command.

Confirming his release,

Lagos Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu said Smith has been reunited with his family, adding that efforts to apprehend the kidnappers were still on.

He said operatives had been on the trail of the culprits but were more concerned about his safe return.

“There is certain information I cannot give you but I am

confirming that he has been rescued and reunited with his family.

“The operation started around 2: 000 a.m., he was eventually dropped at Langbasa waterside around 4a.m. with some other persons.

“We will ensure the perpetrators are all rounded up,” Odumosu said.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ OCTOBER 3, 2021

NEWSXTRA Militants Accuse Delta Govt of Mismanaging 13% Derivation Funds Sylvester Idowu in Warri A militant group, the Creek Dragons yesterday accused the Delta State Government of mismanaging of 13 percent derivation funds and relegating Ijaws to the background.

The group said its fighters would return to the creeks if the state government failed to toe the path of justice by allowing genuine and appropriate use of the funds accruing to the various commissions and agencies established for the development of the Ijaw riverine communities.

This was revealed in a statement by its leader, General Freedom Adowei, the group asked President Muhammadu Buhari to prevail on Governor

Ifeanyi Okowa to henceforth use judiciously the resources accruing for the development of the state and particularly the riverine communities.

In its statement, the group accused the state government of mismanagement of state resources, abuse of state power and unconstitutional interference with commissions and agencies in the state meant to address the concerns of the people.

The statement said Creek Dragons “is angry with mismanagement of 13 percent derivation funds meant for the development of the oil producing communities through Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) berating the involvement of the

state government in the activities of the commission.

“Creek Dragons will no longer keep calm when government officials now embezzle host communities funds for selfish reasons.

“This is capable of breaking down law and order and should in case insecurity looms and oil production drops from this end, the federal government should hold Okowa and his officials responsible, because we cannot keep feeding a system we practically get nothing from.

“Where is N14.8 billion remitted from the Paris Club in December 2016 that was meant for the payment of salaries.

“With the Creek Dragons usual mode of operation, the

state government will be forced to account for 50 percent of the N100 billion of the DESOPADEC; 13 percent derivation funds he deprived the commission of and will be put under pressure to account for over N300 billion naira loans obtained in the past six years.”

The group said the state government executed some projects in Ijaw areas, though the projects were insignificant compared to what were being carried out in non-oil producing areas of Delta North.

According to the group, upgrading or establishment of three new universities in the state without considering to site anyone in Ijaw land despite, her political and economic contributions, is

STRENGTHENING PARTNERSHIP . . .

L-R: Vice President, Association of Issuing House of Nigeria (AIHN), Kayode Akinkugbe; President, AIHN, Ike Chioke; Director General, Securities Exchange Commission(SEC), Lamido Yuguda; and Executive Commissioner Operations, SEC, Dayo Obisan, at a meeting between SEC and AIHN in Lagos… recently

Police Recover 340 AK-47 Rifle Ammunition in Delta, Arrest Suspect Sylvester Idowu inWarri The Delta State Command yesterday disclosed that it had uncovered 340 AM-47 rifle ammunition tucked in a sack of cassava flour (Garri) in Burutu Local Government Area of the state.

The command added that a 37-year-old suspect identified as Solomon Ebe, from Tuomo community, was arrested on Friday for being in possession of the ammunition.

The Police Public Relations

Officer (PPRO), Edafe Bright said in a statement yesterday that the suspect was apprehended by vigilant policemen attached to Bomadi Division.

While on patrol during Independence Day celebration, along Bomadi/Tuomo road, he disclosed that the policemen intercepted a cyclist, Solomon Ebe, carrying the bag containing Garri in Burutu Local Government area.

According to Bright, the operatives of the command, who were discreet in their responsibilities on

reasonable suspicion decided to search the suspect and the bag.

“Upon search, three hundred and forty (340) rounds of AK47 live ammunition hidden inside the Garri were recovered”, he disclosed noting that the suspect was arrested and investigation is ongoing.

Similarly, he disclosed that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), ‘A’ Division Warri, acting on a distressed call that a tricycle with registration No FHR 600 QF has been snatched by four armed gang at Hausa quarters

and were heading towards Delta line Warri/Sapele road Warri immediately deployed Rapid response team of the Division to go after criminals.

The team, on sighting the hoodlums around Warri, arrested a suspect, Efe David, aged 22 years while the other three escaped with the tricycle.

“Information was quickly disseminated to other Divisions and vigilantes who fortunately led to the arrest of one of them with the snatched tricycle while two of the robbers escaped”, he said.

Osinbajo: Nigeria Will Strengthen Growing Relationship With Sao Tome Deji Elumoye in Abuja Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has given an assurance that Nigeria’s cordial relationship with the twin-island Central African nation of Sao Tome and Principe, which has grown over the years, will now be further strengthened.

Osinbajo made the disclosure yesterday at the Presidential Inauguration of the new President of Sao Tome and Principe, Mr Carlos Manuel Vila Nova in Sao Tomé.

“We think that São Tomé and Principe is an important partner.

We have a very strategic relationship, which is why we are here not just to felicitate with the new President, but to re-establish a relationship, a relationship which by the way has been growing from strength to strength over the years.” He noted that both countries are now “looking at strengthening bilateral relations because of the strategic partnership between the two countries.”

According to him, we have a joint development arrangement especially with respect to the oil and gas sector where we share a common interest.

He said: “We are also looking

at strengthening relationships in other respects [such as ] hospitality, agriculture and all of that.”

While felicitating with the new President, Osinbajo expressed Nigeria’s readiness to re-establish stronger ties with the island country.

The event, which was held at the country’s Parliament Building, was attended by leaders from Africa and Europe.

Apart from Osinbajo who represented President Muhammadu Buhari, other leaders who graced the occasion included the President of Portugal, Mr. Marcelo Rebeto, the President of Guinea-Bissau, Mr Sissolo

Embalo; Vice President of Angola, Mr. Bonito De Sousa, among other dignitaries.

The inauguration was also witnessed by the immediate past President, Mr Carlos Carvalho, and the Prime Minister of São Tomé and Principe, Mr Jorge Bom Jesus.

Later, President Nova held his first bilateral meeting as President with Vice President Osinbajo at the Presidential Office in Sao Tome city, where both leaders exchanged pleasantries and expressed readiness to deepen diplomatic and economic relationships.

another injustice taken too far.

“The continuous abandonment of the Ayakoromo bridge project is another testament that the governor is truly not interested in the genuine development of our people. Even after knowing the economic importance of the bridge, he has chosen to abandon it despite carrying out more mega projects in other areas.

“The state government will

pay heavily for manipulating the Creek Dragons to achieve his political gains without keeping to his words as promised.

“The Creek Dragons is not known for the conventional rigorous legal process for redress but however, in this case, both legal means and otherwise will be explored to expose the government’s many ills,” the group threatened.

ECOWAS, Red Cross Donate Relief Materials to Katsina Flood Victims Francis Sardauna in Katsina The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in collaboration with the Nigerian Red Cross Society and the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs has donated relief materials to flood victims in Katsina State.

Items donated to the victims of the natural disaster in Bindawa Local Government Area (LGA), of the state includes 100 bags of rice, 100 bags of millets, 100 bags of beans, 200 gallons of palm and vegetable oil.

Others were 200 set of blankets, 300 set of underwear, 100 pieces of bathroom slippers, 400 sets of cups, buckets and detergents as well as 700 sets of towels, sanitary pads, mats and soaps.

Distributing the items to the 100 adversely affected victims in Bindawa Saturday, the Katsina Executive Chairman of Nigerian Red Cross Society, Aliyu Idris, said the gesture would assuage the suffering of the vulnerable persons.

He affirmed that aside the food

and non-food items donated to the beneficiaries, ECOWAS and Red Cross in synergy with the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs had commenced the renovation of 12 houses affected by the 2020 flood.

While noted that four boreholes have also been renovated in the area, Idris explained that the state branch of Nigerian Red Cross Society has trained 2,000 members as first aiders and provided basic first aid training for regular Marshals of the Federal Road Safety Commission in the state.

In addition, he said, over 500 volunteers across the state have received emergency training in disaster management, adding that the society also treated 610,809 first aid cases and referred 8,715 cases to appropriate health institutions.

Earlier, the ECOWAS representative, Aminu Abubakar, warned the beneficiaries against selling the donated items, saying anyone caught would face the wrath of the law.

NLC Mourns as NECA DG Passes on Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The Director-General of Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), Dr. Timothy Olawale has passed away after a brief illness in Abuja.

In a statement yesterday, the association said the director-general died on October 1 in an Abuja hospita.

The statement said: “It is with deepest sadness that we announce the passing of Olawale, our DirectorGeneral, which occurred on Oct. 1 2021 at a hospital in Abuja.

“He is survived by his wife, children and other relatives; we pray to the good Lord to grant his family and us all, the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss,’’ it stated.

The statement added that the association was in contact with the family and more information would be communicated in due course.

As a result, yesterday, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) expressed shock at news of the sudden demise of NECA’s director-general A statement by the NLC President, Ayuba Wabba said Olawale demonstrated a high level of professionalism and camadarie with other social partners especially labour while on the saddle at NECA. “It was with great shock that the Nigeria Labour Congress

received the news of the sudden demise of the Director-General of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), Dr. Timothy Olawale, yesterday, 1st October 2021 in Abuja.

Olawale was in 2019 confirmed as the Director-General of NECA. His succession of Mr. Segun Oshinowo was greeted with great warmth by the social partners as many saw his emergence as as a continuation of a tradition of experience and excellence.

“While in the saddle, Dr. Olawale demonstrated a high level of professionalism and camadarie with other social partners especially labour. He was always very objective in dealing with matters of industrial relations as his work ethos were justice and equity,” it said.

Wabba said that Olawale was a great friend of the Nigeria Labour Congress, adding that he was a dependable social partner to Nigerian workers.

“It is really quite eerie to describe Olawale in past tense.

He will be greatly missed. His humility, kindness and candour will be greatly missed by all who were privileged to have worked closely with him.

“On behalf of the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the wife, children, relatives, colleagues and friends that Olawale left behind,” he said.

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER OCTOBER 3, 2021

SUNDAYSPORTS

Edited by: Duro Ikhazuagbe email:Duro.Ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

QATAR 2022 QUALIFIERS

Central African Republic Scared of Osimhen ȱ ę ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Duro Ikhazuagbe with agency report

C

entral African Republic Head Coach, Raoul Savoy, believes Victor Osimhen will be a threat to his team in this month’s 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Three-time African champions will host the Wild Beasts in a matchday three encounter at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos on Thursday, October 7.

The reverse fixture will take place three days later in Douala, Cameroon.

Osimhen has been in impressive form for his Italian club Napoli this season with seven goals in his last five appearances for the Blues.

“I don’t like to talk about specific players because you know that football is a game we play with 11 players and substitutes,” Savoy told Captain Pascal Live.com “For now I think Osimhen is doing very well in Napoli, he is scoring a lot of goals.

“I like his style of play, powerful and a really good striker. For us, of course, it will be an honour to play against this class of players but for now, I think Osimhen is for me the best at the moment.”

Meanwhile, Super Eagles Head Coach, Gernot Rohr has admitted that Leicester City’s enforcer, Wilfred Ndidi is injured and will be sidelined for four weeks.

“Ndidi is out for a month with a hamstring injury,” Rohr disclosed.

Victor Osimhen (in blue shirt) has been red hot for Napoli scoring in every last five games for Napoli in the Italian Serie A

“He will be missed for the games against Central African Republic, but we expect him to make a good return next month for the games against Liberia and Cape Verde.”

Everton forward Alex Iwobi is the other player ruled out by injury for the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers.

Ndidi’s absence means he will miss

Leicester City Premier League games against Crystal Palace, Manchester United, Brentford and Brighton as well as the Europa League clash against Spartak Moscow.

Suarez onTarget as Atletico Heighten Barcelona’s Woes Juventus WinTurin Derby atTorino Reigning champions Atletico Madrid went level with Real Madrid at the top of La Liga and inflicted further damage on Ronald Koeman’s struggling Barcelona with a deserved 2-0 win in Spain’s capital.

Thomas Lemar scored the opener, finishing well at the end of a move involving Joao Felix and Suarez.

Suarez then slotted in against his former club to put Atletico in charge.

Antoine Griezmann also featured against his former club as a late substitute as Atletico basked in their superiority.

For all the woe surrounding Barca this season, this loss was actually their first in La Liga - but it leaves them eighth in the table on 12 points, five behind Diego Simeone’s side, who are second only on goal difference but have played a game more than rivals Real.

Prior to this, Barca had three wins and three draws to their name, with back-to-back chastening 3-0 losses in the Champions League doing most to harm Koeman’s position at the club.

Barca had chances on Saturday, especially at 1-0, with Philippe Coutinho volleying an effort just wide and Frenkie de Jong just inches away from converting from close range following Memphis Depay’s header across goal.

Coutinho also had a great chance to get the visitors back into the game in the second half but saw his shot from inside the box saved by Jan Oblak.

Despite having much more of the ball, Barcelona were second best at the Wanda Metropolitano, falling to a defeat that may well test president Joan Laporta’s assertion from earlier on Saturday that Koeman would continue at the club regardless of the result in Madrid.

“It’s important and well done for his part because if everything isn’t clear in this sense, then it’s difficult to work and have the kind of calm you need to try to make the changes we are trying to implement,”Koeman said after

Luis Suarez (in front) was on target as Atletico Madrid defeated Barcelona 2-0...last night

Saturday’s game.

“We know how it is from today moving forwards... We spoke last night on the phone and then again this morning.”

Barca now have a two-week break from action for internationals, with their next fixture

at home to Valencia on 17 October.

“There’s a solution [to what is happening], but it can’t be done overnight,” added Koeman. “We have to work hard, give time to the youngsters and get back our injured forwards.”

Juventus struck four minutes from time to secure victory in the Turin derby.

Manuel Locatelli kept his nerve to finish calmly from the edge of the area after Torino kept the visitors at bay for much of the game.

The Old Lady managed to stop a run of conceding goals, one match short of their unwanted record of 21 consecutive games.

Massimiliano Allegri’s men sit eighth in Serie A, seven points off leaders Napoli.

Juventus should have been ahead a number of times in the opening minutes.

Moise Kean shot wide within two minutes, before Weston McKennie blasted over from inside the area.

At the other end, Sasa Lukic missed a golden chance with a header, while Rolando Mandragora forced Wojciech Szczesny into a smart save from distance.

Juan Cuadrado almost put Juve ahead seven minutes after the break, but his header was saved at point-blank range by Vanja Milinkovic-Savic.

Locatelli struck after being found by Federico Chiesa on the edge of the area, giving Milinkovic-Savic no chance.

Enugu Rangers Round up Open Screening with Double Win The Rangers International F.C of Enugu have successfully concluded itheir weeklong open screening exercise, that saw over 40 players from near and far participating in the sessions under the watchful eyes of the coaching crew led by Mbwas Mangut.

Thelastdayoftheexercise,sawtwopracticematches taking place inside the main bowl of Nnamdi Azikiwe stadium, that saw the bunch of those showcasing their talent defeating Enugu amateur side, Elite Space F.C of Emene, 4-1 with attacking sensation, Ikechukwu Iboko netting twice. In the second match of the day,

the core of the team been built by the coaching crew had to be called upon in the last twenty minutes to wrestle the chestnut out of the burning fire as Enugu state league side, Star Plus F.C of Ngwo got pegged back 3-2 despite enjoying a 2-goal lead into the last twenty minutes of the match.

Samuel Pam, Elijah Ani and Clement Philip scored three goals on 78, 81 and 85 minutes to cancel out Chidera Edeh and Ifeanyi Edeh’ strike on 35 and 52 minutes and save the premiership side some blushes in the highly entertaining encounter.

With the end of the exercise, coach Mangut hope to kick start proper conditioning of his team as the 2021/2022 football season is expected to kickoff later this month as he said,“It has been a long week of great experience for us and the players that came to try out their luck with us. Everyone was given enough time to dish out all they have in their arsenal and we have come to the end of that part of our preparation for the coming season and we hope that the few that have impressed will be facing the established players to have a taste of what is expected when the season commences.”

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Romancing the Frankenstein’s Monsters

T

he brutal murder of Dr Chike Akunyili by the so-called “unknown gunmen” — I call them “the Boko Haram of the south-east” — has torn my heart to pieces. I was an associate member of the Akunyili family, having related closely with his wife, Prof Dora Nkem Akunyili, who did an amazing job as director-general of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) from 2001 to 2008. She died in 2014 after losing her fight with cancer. Her husband was one of those rarely celebrated in Nigeria — a successful man in his own right who did not feel threatened by his wife’s success. Rather, the medical doctor encouraged and supported her all the way.

I remember being in their hotel room in London, UK, sometime in 2006 when Prof Akunyili was preparing to receive an award at the Palace of Westminster, which houses the UK Parliament.

She gave me her address to help review. Dr Chike had a copy. I was reading aloud and making comments. He was taking notes and commenting too. We agreed to rephrase a few paragraphs in which we felt she went into too much detail on her encounters with producers and sellers of fake drugs. Before we left the hotel, the couple shared a kiss in my presence. “Simon,” she said, with a smile and a giggle, “you know, we’ve been married for decades and the love still dey shark me.”

It is a fitting tribute, though a tragic one, that Dr Akunyili was killed on his way from a memorial lecture in honour of his beloved wife. The tragedy happened on Tuesday at the Nkpor junction, Idemili North, Anambra state.

On hearing the news, I started searching for clues on what might have gone wrong. A friend forwarded a WhatsApp message to me, along with a gruesome photograph which I refused to open or expand. The writer blamed the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) for the murder. He said the gunmen mistook Akunyili for a politician and opened fire on him. The separatists had vowed that the November 6 Anambra governorship election would not hold.

However, in this age of “conjecture journalism” — a fast-moving deadly brand wildly shared and consumed even by those who supposedly went to school — I was not surprised to see online reports attributing the killing to, you guessed right, “Fulani herdsmen”. All kidnappings and killings in southern Nigeria are attributed to “Fulani herdsmen”. It must be a thing of mystery that there are no longer southern criminals as every crime is committed by “Fulani herdsmen”! In Ebonyi communities where they have been at war for three decades, every dead body is now the handiwork of “Fulani herdsmen”. That is a sure narrative that serves the evil purpose of inflaming ethnic passion.

I later saw a Facebook post by someone who created a fantastic theory on Dr Akunyili’s gruesome murder — going as far as linking it to President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. According to him, the attempt on Mrs Akunyili’s life 17 years ago was by “Fulani gunmen”. He said they were angry that she wrote a memo asking the federal executive council to declare Yar’Adua incapacitated and make Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan the substantive president. The character said it was the same “Fulani people” that killed her and finally came for her husband. For the record, Dora was attacked by gunmen on December 26, 2003. The Yar’Adua episode was in February 2010 — six years later.

You cannot stop people from blaming “Fulani herders” for the crimes in the land — freedom of speech could also lead to freedom of ridiculous conjecture in some instances — but I think they are playing with fire the way they rush to defend IPOB and exonerate the separatists from everything

Akunyili going on in the south-east. The attacks on INEC offices, police stations, prisons and politicians tell a familiar story of the insurrection that IPOB preaches.

The sit-at-home orders, brutally enforced as we have seen in verified videos, all fall into the pattern of the insurrection. By pampering these Frankenstein’s monsters, their defenders are only “doing” themselves, to use a local expression.

By the time IPOB, Eastern Security Network (ESN) and “unknown gunmen” are done with the south-east, Boko Haram would be learners.

Have we learnt nothing from the north-east?

When the Boko Haram cancer started, it did not present as malignant. It was projected as a benign group of Islamic purists who were out to reinstate religious piety to the society. Boko Haram had ready defenders and apologists among northern politicians, government officials and journalists.

I once addressed a group of police officers and one of them, from the north, told me without flinching that Igbo were behind Boko Haram, that they wanted to destroy the north in retaliation for losing the civil war!

An American diplomatic cable published by Wikileaks in 2010 named a top government official, a retired general, as “a radical fundamentalist” who said the US wanted to eliminate Islam “like it did with communism”. According to reports, the same official ordered the release of Boko Haram leaders when they were arrested by the security agencies in 2009. Some of those released went on to become the deadliest Boko Haram commanders.

One of them was Mamman Nur, who would later mastermind the 2011 bombing of the UN building in Abuja that killed 26 people. He became the de facto head of Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) before he was killed in 2018.

In 2010, when Jonathan deployed troops in Borno State to tackle Boko Haram, the Borno Elders and Leaders of Thought (BELT) opposed him. If Jonathan had succumbed to their demand, Borno would have become history. They condemned Jonathan for seeking help from the US, saying “it is unconstitutional”. At a time we needed all hands on deck to tackle Boko Haram, our leaders — including those in Jonathan’s corner — saw an opportunity to play politics. See where we landed. Borno State has become a massive graveyard and a pile of rubble. They were busy playing ethnic and religious politics and caressing the Frankenstein’s monsters but they were only “doing” themselves.

Just as it now obtains in the south-east, Boko Haram were slitting the throats of security operatives and attacking security agencies in the north-east. They were attacking DSS offices and police checkpoints, and killing politicians. They were soon bombing churches before moving to

mosques. They have definitely killed more fellow Muslims than Christians in their war on the Nigerian state. It was fun for some people until it became clear that nobody was safe. It was too late to undo anything. And here comes the south-east where some are hailing the insurrection. IPOB denies these attacks and claims to be protecting Biafraland. So, how many attacks has IPOB stopped?

There is no doubt that Igbo feel unfairly treated in the Nigerian federation. For a people who have distinguished themselves in all walks of life, they feel highly marginalised in the scheme of things, compared to other ethnic groups. While many do not subscribe to the activities of IPOB, they cannot say so openly because they could be seen as going against popular sentiments. Some fear for their personal safety. Some also think Nigeria only listens to those who speak forcefully and upturn a few tables. In truth, it appears violence has become an acceptable bargaining chip in the country, as we can see with the clamour for amnesty for the bandits terrorising the north-west. So it goes.

In the south-west too, the ethnic champions are romancing Chief Sunday Igboho in his self-appointed task of “liberating” Yorubaland. I watched one of his videos where he was claiming that Yoruba are suffering in Nigeria. Can you beat that? “Iya nje awa Yooba ni Naijiria,” he said, tearfully. He threatened that there would be no elections in the south-west in 2023 because he would kill the politicians — a reckless admission of his stock-in-trade. He actually boasted of his exploits. You would take him for a joker until you realise some top Yoruba intellectuals actually endorse him. That is how low things have sunk in Yorubaland that a common political thug would be a thought leader.

Yoruba probably dodged a few bullets when Igboho decided to flee to Germany, although he landed in the prisons of the Republic of Benin, just across our border. Otherwise, the south-west would probably be witnessing an orgy of violence by now as the Yoruba Nation activists try to make good their threat not to allow elections in 2023.

I am not in a position to appreciate why people think empowering the Igbohos would do the Yoruba any good. Like the Frankenstein’s monster, these guys would turn on their backers sooner or later. When you endorse mobsters, don’t ever think you can call them to order when they go berserk. It doesn’t work like that. Boko Haram is my witness.

I would like to be very clear once again: I am not opposed to playing politics, but we have to decide what to play politics with and if it is worth it. I am not against people promoting their ethnic agenda — it is part and parcel of fundamental human rights. But I will keep asking: have they counted the cost? Are they ready to pay the price?

Is it worth the bloodshed? As Jesus Christ would say, “What king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand?”

Insurrection comes with human and material costs. We are still counting the dead bodies in the north-east.

The painful death of Dr Akunyili should ordinarily serve as food for thought for those promoting or funding the activities of these “unknown gunmen” in the south-east, but are they reasonable people? In any case, the horse has bolted from the stable. The south-east is going through its worst devastation since the civil war. When you cripple economic activities, you push your people further into poverty.

When you stop children from writing exams, you push them down the education ladder. When you kill your leading lights, you hurt yourself more than you hurt the people you think you are fighting. My condolences to the Akunyili family.

May evil depart from our land.

And Four Other Things…

NIGERIA AT 61 Nigeria marked its 61st Independence Day on Friday with predictable appraisals. One corner says we have nothing to celebrate as a nation and we should bury our heads in shame. Another corner says we have done well compared to many other countries that are in our age bracket. I think when we take a panoramic view of our journey so far, a sincere conclusion would be that we can do far better than this. I would not spend time lamenting what has gone wrong — economically, socially and politically. Rather, I am worried about what we are doing currently to make sure in another 61 years, Nigeria would be a land of delight. Our attention should be on creating a great future. Focus.

HOPE RISING? Reports that Nigeria’s crude oil output rose by 170,000bpd in September should be received with some optimism. This is the highest so far in 2021. For a country that was producing over 2mbpd a few years ago to sink as low as 1.23mbpd, the consequences were always going to show immediately on the value of the naira. We can now hope to benefit from higher oil prices in the months ahead, although the downside is that with petrol price at N162 per litre, we would end up pumping the gains back into subsidy.

This year alone, we have spent over N700 billion on petrol subsidy. Imagine what that amount of money can do on education and healthcare. Snookered.

ZONING GAMES Southern governors recently met, reiterated the ban on open grazing, demanded that VAT should be collected by states and then demanded that presidency must be zoned to the south in 2023. Can you see something there? Northern governors held their own meeting and declared that zoning is unconstitutional and whoever wants to be president should do so through the ballot.

Can you see another thing there? I think I have an idea of what is going on. Our elders say the child that is crying knows what he is doing and the mother that is pacifying her also knows what she is doing. I just hope that in the end, a development agenda for Nigeria will be slotted into the politicking.

Imperative.

TWO VAGUE In an interview with Arise TV on Friday, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II, former Emir of Kano, restated his age-long opposition to zoning.

He believes the race should be thrown open.

He said zoning the presidency to a particular region may leave the country “with two useless candidates” in 2023. I must admit that I don’t understand his argument. He is someone who often speaks with clarity but I found this assertion difficult to comprehend.

How does zoning leave you with “useless” candidates? Didn’t we have Olusegun Obasanjo and Olu Falae in 1999? Conversely, is the former CBN governor suggesting we would end up with two “quality” candidates if there is no zoning? Puzzling.

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